Elster Metercat User Guide 2 1 PDF

Metercat
User Guide
Release 2.1
www.elster.com
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 3 Contents
Contents
1 Welcome to Metercat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
What Is Metercat? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Using the Metercat main window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Customizing the background image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Viewing online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Program editor help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Viewing release information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Using the menu bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
File menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Edit menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connections menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Tools menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Windows menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Help menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Navigating the interface using accelerator keys . . . . . . . . . 20
Understanding the status bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Using movement buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Using the calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Selecting a month/year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Selecting a day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Starting AlphaPlus software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Starting Alpha Keys software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Changing the interface language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2 Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Starting Metercat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Logging on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Single user system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Multiple user system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
At program startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
As a different user or group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Logging off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Setting up Metercat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Assigning function shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Deleting a function shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Viewing a list of assigned function shortcuts . . . . . . . . . 30
Executing a function using shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Finding Metercat data files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Backing up Metercat database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Replicating the Metercat system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Exiting Metercat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3 Using account information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Viewing account information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
General tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Details tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Notes tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Metercat
Meter Access Level tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Changing your Metercat password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4 Configuring the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Configuring the user environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Configuring the network storage of programs . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Viewing a report of the most recent program update . . . . . 42
Updating program files manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Update master program files on the network manually . . . 43
5 Setting system preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Opening System Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Setting supported meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Setting site ID labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Setting holiday options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Configuring seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Setting programming options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Setting time difference options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Setting stored readings options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
6 Managing users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Accessing User Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Adding a new user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Changing a user’s information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Deleting a user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Changing a user’s status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Adding a new group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Changing a group’s information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Deleting a group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Changing a group’s status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Entering user information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
General tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Details tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Notes tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Entering group information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
General tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Privileges tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Viewsets tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Adding a viewset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Removing a viewset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Functions tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Adding a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Removing a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Programs tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Adding a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Removing a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Membership tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Adding users to a group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Removing users from a group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Meter Access Level tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
7 Managing functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Accessing Function Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Metercat’s sample functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Metercat
Building a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Function Definition tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Entering function definition information . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Access Control tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Enabling a group’s access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Disabling a group’s access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Viewing a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Changing a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Changing a task’s parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Adding a task to a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Removing a task from a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Changing the task execution order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Changing a function’s access control list . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Setting a function shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Deleting a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Executing a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Repeating a function execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Function Completion Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Available tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Billing Read task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Configuring the Billing Read task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Performing a billing read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Change Demand Overload task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Configuring the Change Demand Overload task . . . . . . 91
Changing demand overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Change Demand Thresholds task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Configuring the Change Demand Thresholds task . . . . 93
Changing demand thresholds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Change ICM Custom SIDs task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Example custom SIDs file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Changing ICM custom SIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Change ICM Settings task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Changing ICM settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Change KYZ Output task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Configuring the Change KYZ Output task . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Changing KYZ output values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Change Passwords task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Configuring the Change Passwords task . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Changing the Read Only password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Changing the Billing and Unrestricted passwords . . . .102
Change Modem Init String task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Configuring the Change Modem Init String task . . . . . .104
Changing a modem init string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Change Out LAN Collector task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Changing out a LAN collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Change Time task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Configuring the Change Time task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Changing a meter’s time and time zone . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Clear Battery Log task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Clearing the meter’s battery log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Clear Data task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Clearing meter data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Clear Event Flags task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Clearing event flags in a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Clear Event Log task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Clearing event log in a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Clear ICM Over-temperature Counters task . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Clearing ICM over-temperature counters in a meter . . 111
Metercat
Clear PQM Data task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Configuring the Clear PQM Data task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Clearing PQM data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Configure Special Option Board task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Configuring a special option board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Demand Reset task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Resetting demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Diagnostic Read task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Configuring the Diagnostic Read task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Performing a diagnostic read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Edit PQM Thresholds task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Configuring the Edit PQM Thresholds task . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Changing PQM thresholds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Edit Service Test task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Changing service test parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Program task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Configuring the Program task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Programming a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Read ICM Custom SIDs task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Reading ICM custom SIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Register Edit task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Editing register data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Replace PQM task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Configuring the Replace PQM task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Replacing a PQM component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Replace Program task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Configuring the Replace Program task . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Replacing a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
Replace Rates and Dates task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
Configuring the Replace Rates and Dates task . . . . . . .136
Replacing the Rates and Special Dates components . .138
Replace Remote task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Replacing the Remote component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
REX Change Password task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Changing a REX meter’s password set . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
REX Clear Data task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Clearing a REX meter’s data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
REX Connect Service task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Closing the service control switch on a REX meter . . . .143
REX Demand Reset task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Resetting demand in a REX meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
REX Disconnect Service task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Opening the service control switch in a REX meter . . . .145
REX Meter Identification Info task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Reading REX meter ID information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Example REX Meter ID Info Completion Report . . . . . . . 147
Test ICM task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Configuring the Test ICM task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Testing an ICM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Test Mode Off task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Exiting Test mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Test Mode On task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Entering Test mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Turn PQM ON/OFF task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Turning PQM testing on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Unlock Service task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Unlocking the service of a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
View ICM Status task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Metercat
Viewing ICM status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Troubleshooting Task Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
All tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Program task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Program task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Tasks by Password Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
8 Managing machine settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Supported connection types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Optical Probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Direct Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
TCP/IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Accessing Machine Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Adding a new connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Viewing a connection’s settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Changing a connection’s settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Deleting a connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Configuring for AlphaPlus software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Troubleshooting AlphaPlus serial port conflicts . . . . . . .168
Establishing communications with a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Optical Probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Direct Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
TCP/IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
9 Managing meter passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

About meter passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Password encryption in the ANSI C12.19 meter . . . . . . . 173
REX meter password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
ALPHA Plus meter passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
About password sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Password retry options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Password History Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Try all zeros after other attempts fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Accessing Meter Passwords Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Adding a new password set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Changing a password set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Viewing a password set’s history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Deleting a password set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Troubleshooting password problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Invalid passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
10 Managing stored readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

Opening stored readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Exporting stored readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
Exporting stored readings using DOS command line . .192
Creating a MetercatASC CFG file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Example CFG file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
Importing stored readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
Deleting a stored reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
11 Managing viewsets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

What is a viewset? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Metercat
Accessing Viewset Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

Using the Viewset Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Viewset Definition tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Access Control tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Creating a new viewset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Viewing a viewset’s properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Changing a viewset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Deleting a viewset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Creating a Viewset Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Opening a report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Available views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Default viewsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Constants view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Current Billing view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
Day Types view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
Day Types Pending view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Demand view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Demand Pending view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Display view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Control tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Warnings tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
LCD Display Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Display Pending view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Event Log Data view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
History Log Data view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
History Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Instrumentation Profiling Config view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Instrumentation view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Phasor Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Interval Data (Instrumentation) view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Interval Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Channel Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Interval Data (Pulses) view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Interval Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Channel Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Interval Data Configuration view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Logs view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
PQM view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
PQM/Sag Log Data view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
PQM/Sag Status view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Previous Billing view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Previous Season view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Quantities view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Relay Options view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Remote view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Modem tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Answer tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Billing tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Alarms tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Restoration tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Outage Modem tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Self Reads view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Service Test view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Basic Settings tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Advanced Settings - Current tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Advanced Settings - Voltage tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
Metercat
Special Dates view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261

Special Dates Pending view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Special Features view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Special Option Board view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Status view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
General tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Identification tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Conditions tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Security tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Time tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Factory Codes tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
EnergyAxis Option tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Switch Times view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
Switch Times Pending view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
12 Managing the Phone Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284

Viewing the phone book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Customizing the phone book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Moving a column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Grouping phone book entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Sorting the phone book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Adding a new phone book entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Changing a phone book entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Printing the phone book contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Deleting a phone book entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
13 Programming a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291

Before you begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
Programming a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
Sample Program Completion Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Overriding program values using the Program task . . 295
Troubleshooting programming a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Program ID Not Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Access Denied to Program ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Setting or changing Meter ID or Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Setting Device IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
14 Reading a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

Before you begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Reading a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Function Completion Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Troubleshooting reading a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
15 Exporting a program or component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306

Exporting a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Exporting a component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
16 Importing a program or component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311

Importing a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312
Importing a component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318
Importing duplicate components or programs . . . . . . . . . 322
Renumbering a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Renaming a component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Metercat
Renaming a password set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324

Import Completion Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Warning Messages about System Preferences . . . . . . 325
Importing Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Editing an imported program or component . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Creating a Program Report after importing . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
17 Introduction to program development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327

Program identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Program name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Program ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Meter family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Meter type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Audit information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Create information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Modified information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
About programs and components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
About TOU metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331
Additional resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
18 Using the Program Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

Starting the Program Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Creating a new program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Creating a copy of a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Opening an existing program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Using the Program Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341
Saving a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341
Creating a Program Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Deleting a program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Closing the Program Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
19 Using the Component Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

Starting the Component Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Creating a new component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Creating a copy of a component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Opening an existing component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Saving a changed component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Creating a Component Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Deleting a component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351
Closing the Component Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
20 Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Properties tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Memory Allocation tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Examples of memory allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Constants component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Metering Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Secondary Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Primary Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Adjusted Kd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Adjusted Kh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Metercat
Register Multiplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

Transformer Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Setting Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Day Types component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361
Demand component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Demand component - Single Rate Demand Meter . . . 362
Demand component - Time of Use Meter . . . . . . . . . . 363
Display component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Control tab - A3 ALPHA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Warnings tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Selecting Normal, Alternate and Test Display Items . . 369
Displaying Extended Display Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Displaying Last Nine Characters of Meter ID . . . . . . . . 371
Displaying ILC/ILN Errors and Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Displaying Special Display Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Grouping Display Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Selecting Display Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Instrumentation Profiling Config component . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Interval Data Configuration component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381
Logs component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
PQM component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
PQM and Sag Logs and Statuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
PQM Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Configuring PQM Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Voltage Sag Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
1. Service Voltage Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
2. Low Voltage Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391
3. High Voltage Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
4. Reverse Power Test & PF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
5. Low Current Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
6. Power Factor Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
7. Second Harmonic Current Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
8. Total Harmonic Distortion Current Test . . . . . . . . . . . 397
9. Total Harmonic Distortion Voltage Test . . . . . . . . . . . 398
10. Voltage Imbalance Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
11. Current Imbalance Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
12. Total Demand Distortion Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401
Quantities component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Relay Options component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
KYZ Pulse Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Configuring Relay Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406
Remote component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .413
A1800 ALPHA Meter Port Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .414
Third Party Communications Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415
Modem tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .418
Answer tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
Billing tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .421
Alarms tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423
Restoration tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
Outage Modem tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426
Service Test component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Available Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
Setting Basic Service Test Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
Setting Advanced Service Test Parameters . . . . . . . . . .431
Special Dates component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
Adding a Recurring Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Adding a Nonrecurring Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
Troubleshooting Special Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .441
Special Features component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .441
Special Option Board component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442
Metercat
Switch Times component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
A Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
B Report Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 460

Viewset Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .461
Program Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Function Completion Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
Import Activities Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464
ASCII Export Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
Interval per Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
Interval Data (Profile) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
Interval Data (Instrumentation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Instrumentation Profiling Set 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Day per Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467
Day per Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467
C Displayable Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469

A3 ALPHA Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469
LCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469
Displayable Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470
A1800 ALPHA Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
LCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
Displayable Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .477
D Relay Wiring Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483

Wiring Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483
Relay A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483
Relay B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483
Relay C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483
Relay D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Relay E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Relay F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
E Meter Events, Errors & Warnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485

Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 486
Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 488
A3 ALPHA Meter with ILC1 or ILN1 Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489
A3 ALPHA Meter with ILC1 or ILN1 Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 490
F Configuring Loss Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .491

Transformer Loss Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .491
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 13 1. Welcome to Metercat
1 Welcome to Metercat
Before you begin using the software, please review the following sections:
• What Is Metercat?
• Using the Metercat main window
• Viewing online help
• Viewing release information
• Using the menu bar
• Navigating the interface using accelerator keys
• Understanding the status bar
• Using movement buttons
• Using the calendar
• Changing the interface language
Note: Elster assumes that any one using the Metercat software has a basic
understanding of using Windows® and Windows-based programs.
What Is Metercat?
Metercat™, the meter configuration and analysis tool, is a user-friendly software
application developed to program and read Elster’s A3 ALPHA® and A1800 ALPHA meters
and to perform various tasks on the REX® meter. Designed as a flexible Microsoft®
Windows-based application, Metercat runs on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista platforms.
In addition to its basic functionality, Metercat includes the following features:
• function-level security
• a Program Development Wizard
• a Program Editor
• a Component Editor
• user management
• function management
• viewset management
• communications management
• phone book management
Metercat users can include employees in the following positions:
• meter shop administrators and supervisors

• meter readers and programmers
• program developers
Metercat
Using the Metercat main window

The Metercat main window is divided into several functional areas which are described
below.
Close
Maximize
button
Minimize button
Title bar
button
Menu bar
Connection
toolbars
Content
area
Status bar
• the Title bar area displays the name and release version in addition to the name of
the active meter program, component, viewset, or report; it also contains the
standard window control buttons to minimize, maximize and close the open window
• the Menu bar lets you access Metercat commands
• the Connection toolbar allows you to select the Function and Viewset to use when
communicating with a meter (see Chapter 8, “Managing machine settings,” Chapter
7, “Managing functions,” and Chapter 11, “Managing viewsets”)
• the Stored Readings toolbar allows you to select a reading (containing stored
readings) and a Viewset to organize and view the data (see Chapter 10, “Managing
stored readings” and Chapter 11, “Managing viewsets”)
• the Content area displays settings and data
• the Status bar area displays the current user information (such as log on name and
group) and program or communication status information
Metercat
Customizing the background image

You can customize the Metercat background to display a specified image. Refer to the
Metercat Getting Started Guide for details.
Viewing online help

Metercat provides online help and context–sensitive online help to assist you in performing
specific tasks.
Note: You must have Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later to view Metercat’s online help
system.
The table below describes the types of help available in Metercat and how to access them.
Help Type Description

F1 Pressing this key displays the help topic for the particular
dialog that is currently displayed by Metercat.
To access context–sensitive help for a Metercat tab page,
click in a text box, a button, drop-list, etc. in the tab page
and then press F1.
Help button Clicking this button displays the help for the particular
dialog that is currently displayed by Metercat.
Note: Not all windows/dialog have a Help button. For
those that do not, try pressing F1 or search the help
file for detailed information.
Contents Help Provides overviews, steps, and information on every
function you can perform within the Metercat program.
To access this type of help, from the Help menu select
Contents.
Program editor help

To view context help for a specific tab in the Program or Component Editors, you must click
in a text box, drop-list, etc. on the tab. Performing this action activates the tab allowing the
context help to appear when you press the F1 key.
Viewing release information

To view information about your current release of Metercat:
• From the Help menu, select About.

The About Metercat dialog is displayed.
Metercat
The table below details the information displayed in the About Metercat dialog:
Item Description
User Name The User Name entered during software installation.
Organization The Organization to which the software is licensed.
100G000######## The Software Serial number entered during software
installation.
#.# The software release number.
Note: If the release number is preceded by DEMO, the
installation is a demonstration version that will
expire on the date indicated.
Expires: mm/dd/YYYY The expiration date for the demonstration version of
Metercat.
Details Clicking this button displays additional information on
all Metercat–related files (including their dates/times
and their version) for your particular Metercat
installation.
Close Closes the About Metercat dialog.
Metercat
Using the menu bar

The menu bar appears below the title bar and allows command execution via pull-down
menus. Each menu contains commands that are related to one another by either
functionality or process. The functions available under each menu are described in the
tables below.
File menu
Sub-menu Operation
New > Program Opens the Program Development Wizard for creating a new
program. For details on all of the functions and procedures
associated with this function, see “Creating a new program” on
page 333.
New > Program as Copy Creates a new program from an existing program. For details
on all of the functions and procedures associated with this
function, see “Creating a copy of a program” on page 337.
New > Component Creates a new component. For details on all the functions and
procedures associated with this function, see “Creating a new
component” on page 345.
Metercat
Sub-menu Operation
New > Component as Creates a new component from an existing component. For
Copy details on all the functions and procedures associated with this
function, see “Creating a copy of a component” on page 346.
New > Report Creates a new report for the open and active program,
component or viewset.
Open > Program Opens an existing program in the Program Editor. For details on
all the functions and procedures associated with opening a
program, see “Opening an existing program” on page 339.
Open > Component Opens an existing component in the Component Editor. For
details on all the functions and procedures associated with
opening a Component, see “Opening an existing component”
on page 348.
Open > Report Opens an existing report.
Close Closes the open window
Delete > Program Deletes a selected program. For details on all the functions and
procedures associated with deleting a program, see “Deleting
a program” on page 342.
Delete > Component Deletes a selected component. For details on all the functions
and procedures associated with deleting a component, see
“Deleting a component” on page 351.
Save Saves new or changed data to an existing file.
Print Sets printer information and then print the report currently
displayed in the window.
Log Off Logs off your current log on name from Metercat leaving the
application open for another user to log on or for you to log on
using a different group name.
Note: This command is only available in multi-user mode. See
“Configuring the user environment” on page 40.
Exit Closes the Metercat program.
Edit menu
Sub-menu Operation
Cut Removes the currently selected text and stores it on the Clipboard.
(Ctrl + X)
Copy Copies the currently selected text to the Clipboard.
(Ctrl + C)
Paste Inserts the contents of the Clipboard at the insertion point or
(Ctrl + V) replaces any selected text.
This command is available only after you have previously Cut or
Copied contents to the Clipboard.
Connections menu
Sub-menu Operation
<defined connections> Selects the method for connecting to a meter (example,
Modem, Optical Probe, etc.). See Chapter 8, “Managing
machine settings” for details on defining connections.
Metercat
Tools menu
Note: Access to the following functions is dependent upon group access levels. Refer to
“Functions tab” on page 70.
Sub-menu Operation
Account Information Displays information about your Metercat account and allows
you to change your log on password. For more information
about viewing your account see Chapter 3, “Using account
information.” For details on changing your password see
“Changing your Metercat password” on page 39.
System Configuration Configures Metercat for Single or Multiple User accounts. See
Chapter 4, “Configuring the system.”
System Preferences Sets preferences for this Metercat installation. See Chapter 5,
“Setting system preferences.”
User Management Creates and manages user and group accounts and assign
users to groups. For more information on managing users
and groups see Chapter 6, “Managing users.”
Function Management Creates and manages functions that contain one or more
tasks. For more information on function management see
Chapter 7, “Managing functions.”
Machine Settings Defines the connection sources used for communicating with
meters, see Chapter 8, “Managing machine settings.”
Meter Passwords Defines and manages password sets for establishing
Management communication for executing functions (such as reading or
programming) connected meters, see Chapter 9, “Managing
meter passwords.”
Stored Readings Imports, exports or deletes stored billing and diagnostic
Management reading files. See Chapter 10, “Managing stored readings.”
Viewset Management Builds and manages viewsets. See Chapter 11, “Managing
viewsets.”
Phone Book Manages meter phone and TCP/IP numbers. See Chapter 12,
“Managing the Phone Book.”
Export/Import Program Exports or imports a program file that you can share programs
between Metercat installations or send to Elster
Manufacturing to customize and program your meter order.
See Chapter 15, “Exporting a program or component.”
Export/Import Component Exports or imports a component file that you can share
components between Metercat installations or send to Elster
Manufacturing to customize and program your meter order.
See Chapter 15, “Exporting a program or component.”
Update Programs from Updates programs from files located on a network. See
Network Storage “Updating program files manually” on page 42.
Update Network Storage Updates programs stored on a network from files located on
the computer. See “Update master program files on the
network manually” on page 43.
Launch AlphaPlus Starts the installed version of AlphaPlus software in a MS-DOS
window. See “Starting AlphaPlus software” on page 24 for
details.
Launch Alpha Keys Starts the installed version of Alpha Keys 2.0 software. See
“Starting Alpha Keys software” on page 24 for details.
Metercat
Windows menu
Refer to Windows User Guide for details on Window menu commands.
Sub-menu Operation
Cascade Sets or changes how windows within the application are
displayed.
Tile Horizontally Sets or changes how windows within the application are
displayed.
Tile Vertically Sets or changes how windows within the application are
displayed.
Arrange All Sets or changes how windows within the application are
displayed.
Minimize All Minimizes all open windows within the application. This option
only appears when a window is showing.
Help menu
Sub-menu Operation
Contents Displays the Metercat Online Help system.
Function Shortcuts Creates a report of defined shortcut keys for the currently active
connection (Optical Probe, Modem, etc.). See “Assigning
function shortcuts” on page 29 and “Viewing a list of assigned
function shortcuts” on page 30 for more detailed information.
Language Selects the language used by Metercat (for example, Russian,
Portuguese, etc.). Contact Elster for information on language
support.
About Displays Metercat release information. See “Viewing release
information” on page 15.
Navigating the interface using accelerator keys

Microsoft Windows applications usually include accelerator keys that allow you to quickly
access menu functions or window items (such as radio buttons, drop list boxes, text boxes,
etc.) by pressing a specific key combination usually indicated by an underlined letter in the
item’s label (like the ‘F’ in the File menu). For example, <Alt> + <F> opens the File menu;
<Alt> + <F>, <S> opens the File menu and saves the current file.
Additionally, you can use the <Tab> key and the cursor arrow keys to advance the insertion
pointer to the next selectable item. For example, as the figure below illustrates, when you
open a new Constants component, the Constants tab is active (dotted box surrounds the
text ‘Constants’). Pressing <Tab> moves the insertion pointer to the selected Metering
Application-Secondary Metering. Pressing <Tab> again moves the insertion pointer from
Metering Application-Secondary Metering to Transformer Factor - CT Ratio or pressing the
down arrow key moves the insertion pointer from Metering Application-Secondary
Metering to Metering Application-Primary Metering.
Metercat
Understanding the status bar

The status bar at the bottom of the main window displays information about the current
Metercat session. The status bar displays information related to the function or action you
are performing (for example, creating a program or executing a function on a connected
meter).
The table below describes the information you may find in the status bar.
Status Field Description

User Displays the log on name for the user that is currently
logged on to Metercat.
Note: Seen in Multiple User mode only.
Group Displays the group name for the currently logged on user.
Note: Seen in Multiple User mode only.
Meter Family Displays the meter family of the currently selected program
(that is, A3 ALPHA).
Note: Seen with a program open only.
Type Displays the meter type of the currently selected program
(that is, D (Demand) or T (Time of Use), K (Apparent power),
R (Reactive power), or Q (Q-hour power).
Program Function Displays the type of program currently selected (that is,
Single Rate Demand or Time of Use).
Account Displays the ID #1 (for example, Account) programmed into
the meter. See “Setting site ID labels” on page 45.
Note: Seen with a stored reading open or a meter
connected and read.
Metercat
Status Field Description

Meter ID Displays the ID #2 (for example, Meter ID) programmed
into the meter. See “Setting site ID labels” on page 45.
Note: Seen with a stored reading open or a meter
connected and read.
Using movement buttons

Use the movement buttons to add, remove or reposition items in a Select/Enabled list.
Note: You can select multiple items by holding down the <Shift> key and selecting the
first and last item or by holding down the <Ctrl> key and selecting each desired
item.
The following table describes the movement buttons used in Metercat:
Button Description
Add > Moves the selected item in the Available list to the Select/Enabled list.
Double clicking on an item will also move it to the Select list.
All >> Moves all of the items in the Available list to the Select/Enabled list.
< Remove Removes the selected item from the Select/Enabled list to the Available
list.
Double clicking on an item will also move it to the Available list.
<< All Removes all of the items from the Select/Enabled list to the Available list.
Up Moves the selected item up one place in the list.
Down Moves the selected item down one place in the list.
Note: You can add or remove items by clicking and holding down the mouse button then
dragging the selected item to the desired location (“drag-and-drop”).
Using the calendar

When you create a TOU meter program, you may need to enter Special Dates. Metercat
provides a Calendar function that lets you select a month, day, and year for each field
requiring a date.
Selecting a month/year
There are two ways in which you can select a month and year from the calendar:
• use left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the years, month by month:
Metercat
• select the month/year and scroll up or down until the correct month/year displays:
Selecting a day
To select today’s date, simply click on the Today date at the bottom of the calendar or select
the date in the calendar:
To select a date other than today’s date, first select the month and year using one of the
methods described in Selecting a month/year then click on the date.
Metercat
Here we have selected

April 23, 2002
Note: If you define a date without setting a specific time, Metercat defaults to the hour
“00:00:00” (that is, midnight) unless otherwise noted.
Starting AlphaPlus software

Metercat allows you to open an installed version of AlphaPlus software in a MS-DOS
window using your Metercat log on password.
AlphaPlus meter support software allows you to read and program Elster’s ALPHA, ALPHA
Plus, and AIN ALPHA meters.
Note: Before you can start AlphaPlus (releases prior to 1.30) you must edit the APLUS.BAT
file located in the \APLUS folder on your computer and edit the APMENU line to
read APMENU %1.
Before you can start AlphaPlus from Metercat, you must set the path to AlphaPlus using
the procedure described in “Configuring for AlphaPlus software” on page 168.
To start AlphaPlus meter support software:
1. From the Metercat Tools menu, select Launch AlphaPlus.

AlphaPlus software displays in a MS-DOS window.
2. To begin using AlphaPlus, press Enter.
— Or —
To exit AlphaPlus, press Esc and confirm by pressing Y.
Starting Alpha Keys software

Metercat allows you to open an installed version of Alpha Keys 2.0 software using your
Metercat log on password.
Alpha Keys is a combination of hardware and Windows software that can upgrade an A3
ALPHA meter. Using Alpha Keys, you can perform either meter type upgrades (for
example, A3D to A3T) or feature upgrades (A3T to A3TL).
Note: Alpha Keys 2.0 software is shipped on the Metercat installation CD-ROM. The
software is accessed from Metercat using the Tools menu.
To start Alpha Keys:
1. From the Metercat Tools menu, select Launch Alpha Keys.

Alpha Keys launches and displays the Alpha Keys main window.
2. Before you can begin using Alpha Keys you must do the following:
Metercat
a. Connect a Hard Key III with Soft Keys available to your computer’s USB port.
b. Connect an A3 ALPHA meter to your computer using an optical probe.
3. Click Start.
Changing the interface language

Metercat, supports languages other than English.
To change the language of the interface:
1. From the Help menu, select Language.

2. Select your language from the list: English (ANSI), English (IEC), Russian, Romanian,
Portuguese (Brazil), French, Spanish, or Chinese.
The Metercat interface will display using the selected language.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 26 2. Getting started
2 Getting started
Before you can start using Metercat, you must learn a few basics including:
• Starting Metercat
• Logging on
• Logging off
• Setting up Metercat
• Assigning function shortcuts
• Finding Metercat data files
• Backing up Metercat database
• Exiting Metercat
Starting Metercat
To start Metercat:
1. Click on the Windows Start button.

2. From the Programs menu, select Metercat > Metercat.
— Or —
Double-click the Metercat icon on your Windows Desktop.
Metercat displays the splash screen.
Note: If you have upgraded from an earlier release of Metercat, you will be asked if you
wish to keep your existing data (that is, your existing databases will be upgraded
to Release 2.1).
3. If the system is set up for a single user (that is, one log on name), the Metercat main
window opens.
Note: If you are using single user configuration, you must log on as Administrator and
enter a valid password.
If the system is setup for multiple users (that is, more than one log on ID), the system
prompts you for a log on name, password and group. For information about logging
on see “Logging on” on page 26.
Logging on
Depending upon how you have configured Metercat (Chapter 4, “Configuring the system”),
you have the following log on options:
• Single user system

• Multiple user system
• At program startup
• As a different user or group
Metercat
Note: After you receive your Metercat log on name and password, you should change
your password (see “Changing your Metercat password” on page 39) and review
your Details information to verify that it is correct.
Single user system

If your Metercat software has been configured as a Single User system, you must log on as
the Administrator.
Note: The default Administrator password is Administrator. To preserve security, change

this password after you first log on to Metercat (see “Changing your Metercat
password” on page 39 for details on changing a password).
Multiple user system

If your Metercat software has been configured as a Multiple User system, you must log on
to the system using your log on name and password. The log on name and password
provide security and limit you to only those task for which you have been given access
privileges.
To have a log on name, an administrator must first:
• create your log on name and password

• create at least one group (with defined privileges and access to the required
elements)
• assign your log on name to one or more groups
See Chapter 6, “Managing users” for details on managing users and groups.
There are two ways you can log on to Metercat:
• log on at program startup - see “At program startup” on page 27.

• log on after the program has already been started - see “As a different user or
group” on page 28.
At program startup
To start the program and log on to the system:
1. From the Windows Start menu, select Programs > Metercat > Metercat.
The Metercat splash screen is displayed while Metercat starts and then the Welcome
to Metercat dialog is displayed.
Metercat
2. Your network log on ID appears automatically in the Log On Name box. If this is not
the log on name you are using for your Metercat log on, type in the correct name.
3. Type your Metercat password in the Log On Password box.
Note: The Log On Password text box is case sensitive so type your log on password
exactly as the administrator has instructed. For example, if you are instructed to
use Anne as your log on password, you need to type Anne, not anne or ANNE.
After entering your log on name, the Group Name field is automatically filled
(Multiple User mode only).
4. From the Group Name list, select the name of the group you wish to use for this
session.
Note: Since some groups may have different access privileges, select the name of the
group you wish to use for the current session.
5. Click OK to log on.
As a different user or group

To log on to Metercat using another Log On Name or Group Name:
1. From the File menu, select Log On.

The Welcome to Metercat dialog is displayed.
2. Your network log on ID appears automatically in the Log On Name field. If this is not
the log on name you are using for your Metercat log on, type in the correct name.
3. Type your Metercat password in the Log On Password box.
4. From the Group Name list, select the name of the group you wish to use for this
session.
5. Click OK to log on.
Logging off
There are times when you may want to log off Metercat without closing the application, for
example, when you want to log on using another Group Name or to ensure that no one
else uses your log on name to configure a meter when you are away from the computer.
To log off of Metercat without closing the program:
• From the File menu, select Log Off.

You are immediately logged off of the system.
If you wish to close the program, refer to “Exiting Metercat” on page 33.
If you wish to log on to Metercat using another Log On Name or Group Name, refer to “As
a different user or group” on page 28.
Setting up Metercat
Before you can begin programming or reading meters you need to perform certain basic
actions that will prepare Metercat for use. For example, before you can read or program a
meter you must first define the connection you will use to communicate with the meter (as
described in “Adding a new connection” on page 161).
The following topics contain additional information on setting up Metercat:
• Chapter 4, “Configuring the system”

• Chapter 5, “Setting system preferences”
• Chapter 14, “Reading a meter”
Metercat
• Chapter 13, “Programming a meter”
Assigning function shortcuts

Metercat allows you to configure function shortcut keys that will execute Metercat functions
and commands using a single key press (for example, F2) or a combination of key presses
(for example, Ctrl + F2, Alt + F2, Ctrl + Shift + F2, etc.).
Note: To avoid overriding existing Metercat menus, the connection bar, the stored
readings bar and Metercat dialog buttons (for example, New) do not use the
Alt + <single key press> combination (for example, Alt + F(ile), Alt + N(ew), etc.).
To assign or change function shortcut keys:
1. From the Tools menu, select Function Management.

2. Select a function from the list.
Note: The Keyboard Shortcut assigned to the selected function is displayed.
3. Click Edit.
4. In the Function Builder dialog, enter the key or key sequence to be assigned to the
function.
Note: Pressing Delete or Shift + Delete changes the assigned key sequence to None.
The table below lists the usage status of special key sequences:
Key Sequence Usage Status
Alt + C Not allowed (Metercat Cancel button shortcut)
Ctrl + C, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V Not allowed (Windows defined shortcuts and defined in
Metercat's Edit menu)
Delete, Shift+Delete Not allowed (deletes the currently assigned shortcut key
combination)
F1 Allowed, but will override Metercat’s context sensitive
online help shortcut
Alt + [character] Allowed, but may override Metercat’s menu and dialog
buttons shortcuts.
Note: If the selected Alt + [character] sequence is an
existing Metercat hot key, the hot key sequence
will be overridden by the new sequence.
Alt + [number] Not allowed for any of the Alt + [number] defined
connections,
Allowed if a number greater than the last defined
connection is used.
F9 Repeat function
Metercat
Deleting a function shortcut

To delete an existing function shortcut:

2. Select the function from the displayed list.
3. Click Edit.
4. In the Function Builder dialog, click in the Keyboard Shortcut text box.
5. Press the Delete key or the Shift + Delete keys.
6. Click OK to exit the Function Builder.
Viewing a list of assigned function shortcuts

To view a report of function shortcut key assignments for the currently active connection:
• From the Help menu, select Function Shortcuts.

Metercat displays an HTML report of assigned keys.
Note: You must have a connection (Optical Probe, Modem, etc.) active to see the
Function Shortcuts command.
Note: You can print this report using File > Print.
Metercat
Executing a function using shortcuts

Note: If you have not selected a viewset from the connection bar before you execute a
read function, the function will execute and no viewset will be displayed.
Note: See “Executing a function” on page 83 for details and requirements on executing a
function.
To execute a function using the shortcut keys:
1. From the Metercat Connections menu, select the proper Connection.

See “Establishing communications with a meter” on page 169 for details on
communicating with a meter.
2. For a reading function, if you want to display a viewset after the reading, select the
proper viewset from the Viewset drop list.
3. Press the proper function key shortcut sequence for the selected function.
The function will execute; any override dialogs will display.
When the function has completed, Metercat displays the completion report.
Finding Metercat data files

Metercat data files are stored in the following location on the computer:
[Windows XP]
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Elster\Metercat\
[Windows Vista]
Metercat
C:\ProgramData\Elster\Metercat
Windows XP Windows Vista
Note: If you do not see these folders, contact your System Administrator.
Backing up Metercat database

Elster recommends that you create periodic backup files of your Metercat database file,
mcat.mdb, that is located in either of the following locations depending on your operating
system:
[Windows XP]
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Elster\Metercat\Config
[Windows Vista]
C:\ProgramData\Elster\Metercat\Config
Caution: The .bak files located in that directory should not be deleted
from the system.
See “Replicating the Metercat system” on page 32 for details.
Replicating the Metercat system

Metercat system replication involves copying the database file from one Metercat
installation folder on one computer to the Metercat installation folder on another computer.
Because the database format may vary from version to version, only copy databases of
the same version of Metercat (for example, from Metercat 2.1 to another copy of Metercat
2.1).
Sharing one Metercat database between several different installations (for example, over
a network) is not recommended. However, Metercat does support network storage of
Metercat program files (see Chapter 4, “Configuring the system” for details).
Note: Meter readings are not stored in any database. To copy or transfer readings, use
Tools > Stored Readings Management to export the needed readings from the
source Metercat installation then import them into the destination Metercat
installation.
Note: Before copying database files from one system to another be sure to close the
Metercat application on both computers. Failure to do so may lead to
unpredictable results.
Metercat
To replicate a Metercat system:
1. Exit Metercat on both the source computer and the destination computer.
Caution: Copying database files while Metercat is open may result in
corrupted data.
2. Copy the following files to the appropriate location depending on the operating
system of the respective computers:
[Windows XP]
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Elster\Metercat\Config
[Windows Vista]
C:\ProgramData\Elster\Metercat\Config
• mcat.mdb - contains Metercat programs
• installations.mte - contains the phone book entries
• connections.mte - contains the machine settings entries
Note: User logon passwords will be overwritten in the destination Metercat system.
Exiting Metercat
To exit and close Metercat:
• From the File menu, select Exit.

— Or —
• Click on the Windows Close button
The program immediately closes.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 34 3. Using account information
3 Using account information
The Account Information command allows you to view your user account information as
well as change your logon password. If you are using Single User mode (see “Configuring
the user environment” on page 40), you may also set your meter access level.
Note: After you receive your Metercat logon name and password, you should change
your password and review your Details information to verify that it is correct.
Viewing account information

To view your current account information:
1. From the Tools menu, select Account Information.

The Account Information dialog displays with two tabs:
• General tab
• Details tab
• Meter Access Level tab (available in single-user mode only)
2. After reviewing your information, click OK or Cancel to exit the Account Information
dialog and return to the main window.
General tab
The General tab allows you to change your Metercat logon password and to view your
general user information. To protect your security, Metercat encrypts your password before
it is stored in the database.
Note: You can only change your logon password using the Account Information
command. Other changes to user information must be performed by an
administrator using the User Management command (see Chapter 6, “Managing
users”).
Metercat
The following table describes the items in the General tab of the Account Information
dialog.
Item Description
Meter Programmer's A unique numerical identifier (ranging from 1 to 9999) set by
Identifier the administrator and stored in meters that you program.
Logon Name The logon name you used to log on to Metercat.
Logon Password The password you are currently using to log on to Metercat.
Confirm Logon Password re-typed for verification (must match the
Logon Password if that field is changed).
Member Groups List of groups to which your logon name is assigned.
Details tab
The Details tab allows you to view additional information about your logon name.
Metercat
Note: Any changes to your user information must be performed by an administrator via
the User Management command (see Chapter 6, “Managing users”).
The following table describes the items in the Details tab of the Account Information dialog.
Item Description
Full Name Your full name.
Description A descriptor such as job title.
E-mail Your e-mail address.
Phone Your telephone number.
Other Phone An alternate telephone number.
Pager Your pager number.
Fax Your fax machine phone number.
Address Your address.
Notes tab
The Notes tab is only available to Administrators on computers that are configured for
single user mode (see “Configuring the user environment” on page 40). The Notes tab
allows you to enter information or remarks about a user. Possible entries could include
changes to status (that is, inactive date).
Metercat
Meter Access Level tab

Note: This tab is only visible if Metercat is configured as a single user system (see
“Configuring the user environment” on page 40 for details on configuring
Metercat). If Metercat is configured as a multi-user system, Meter Access Level is
set using User Management (see “Meter Access Level tab” on page 72).
The Meter Access Level tab allows you to select the meter password set that the user will
use to communicate with Elster meters (see Chapter 9, “Managing meter passwords” for
more information).
Each ANSI C12.19 and ALPHA Plus password set contains three passwords (read only,
billing read, and unrestricted). The meter access level determines which of the three A3
ALPHA passwords in the password set is used when members of the group attempt meter
communications. See “Tasks by Password Level” on page 157 for a listing of Password
Levels for each task.
The REX password set is one 8-digit password (padded with zeros on the right if less than
8 digits are entered) that is used to communicate with REX meters through the optical port.
Metercat
The following table describes the items in the Meter Access Level tab of the Account
Information dialog.
Item Description
ANSI C12.19 Password Set Determines the password set the user can use to
communicate with A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters.
ALPHA Plus Password Set To use Alpha Keys to upgrade ALPHA Plus meters,
select the ALPHA Plus Password Set the user will use to
communicate with meters.
Note: Alpha Keys uses only the Unrestricted meter
password for communicating with an ALPHA
Plus meter and uses the Unrestricted optical
password for a meter programmed with a non-
zero Device ID.
Password Level for ALPHA • If Read Only Password is selected, this user will use
Meter Communications the lowest level meter password of the selected
password set.
• If Billing Read Password (Allow Demand Reset) is
selected, this user will use the billing read meter
password of the selected password set.
• If Unrestricted Password is selected, this user will
use the highest level password of the selected
password set.
REX Password Set Determines the password the user will use to
communicate with REX meters.
Metercat
Changing your Metercat password

To change your Metercat logon password:
1. From the Tools menu, select Account Information.

2. Select the General tab.
3. Select the text in the Logon Password box.
4. Type in your new password (from 0 to 50 characters) replacing the selected
password with the new one.
Note: A Null string (that is, empty field) leaves the password blank. You will not need to
enter a password when logging on to Metercat.
5. To confirm that you entered your password correctly, re-type the new password in
the Confirm box.
6. Click OK to save your changes or click Cancel to cancel the change and return to the
main window.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 40 4. Configuring the system
4 Configuring the system
Metercat allows authorized users to configure the software user environment and network
storage of programs. The user environment can be run as either a single or a multi–user
system.
Note: To see the User Management command on the Tools menu, you must configure
Metercat as a Multiple User system. If you cannot see the User Management
command, from the Tools menu, select System Configuration and then select
Multiple User.
Configuring the user environment

To configure the user environment:
1. From the Tools menu, select System Configuration.

The System Configuration dialog is displayed.
2. Select the appropriate User Environment (either Single User or Multiple Users).
Note: To use Metercat configured for a Single User, you must log on as the
Administrator.
Caution: Configuring Metercat as Single User and deleting the
Administrator’s Logon Password allows you to start Metercat
and bypass the logon screen.
3. Click OK to save the configuration or click Cancel to keep the existing configuration
and return to Metercat.
See “Logging on” on page 26 for details about using Single User or Multiple User mode.
Metercat
Configuring the network storage of programs
Note: Only Metercat Administrators can configure the network storage of Metercat
programs. See Chapter 6, “Managing users” for details.
Metercat allows programs to be stored as master files on a network server. When
enabled, each time Metercat opens it will check the master programs on the network and
will automatically overwrite local programs with master programs that have been
changed and import any new programs.
When Metercat updates local programs from a network storage location the following conditions apply:
• local user privileges for existing programs are not changed

• when retrieving a new program from the network, local user access privileges are
for the Administrators group only
Note: New programs will be added to the local computer and only users with
Administrator rights will have access to view and edit it.
• password sets are imported with master programs
• if imported password sets are changed, Metercat lists the names of changed
password sets
• if new password sets are imported, Metercat lists the names of the new
password sets
• Metercat reports changed components after updating from master program
To configure Metercat to allow the storage of Metercat programs on a network:
1. From the Tools menu, select System Configuration.

Note: The System Configuration command is only available to members of the
Administrators group. See Chapter 6, “Managing users” for details.
The System Configuration dialog is displayed.
Metercat
a. Select the Network Storage tab.
2. Enter the location on the network where programs are to be stored (in the format
\\server-name\path).
— Or —
Browse to the network location where the programs will be stored.
3. Check to Automatically update programs from network storage to update the
computer’s programs every time Metercat is launched.
Note: Only a Metercat Administrator with administrative rights on the computer can
change the configuration settings or change the Network Storage Location.
4. Click OK to save the configuration or click Cancel to keep the existing configuration
and return to Metercat.
Viewing a report of the most recent program update

To view a report of the most recent programs update, open the netstore.html file located at
the following locations:
[Windows XP]
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Elster\Metercat\Reports
[Windows Vista]
C:\ProgramData\Elster\Metercat\Reports
Updating program files manually
Note: Any user can update program files on the local computer.
To update the local computer with files from the network:
• From the Tools menu, select Update Programs from Network Storage.
Metercat updates the local Metercat program files from the network location. After
the files are updated, Metercat displays a report summarizing the activity of the
update. The report displays information such as programs that were successfully
imported into Metercat and any failures that occurred.
Metercat
Update master program files on the network manually
Note: Only members of the Administrators group can update master files on the
network.
To update the network master programs from programs in Metercat:
• From the Tools menu, select Update Network Storage.

Metercat updates the master programs stored on the network from programs
contained in Metercat.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 44 5. Setting system preferences
5 Setting system preferences
Metercat allows an authorized user to set system preferences for the computer running
Metercat. Using the System Preferences command, you can set the following options:
• supported meters
• site ID labels
• holiday
• dates and rates
• programming
• time difference
• stored readings
Note: To change system preferences, you must be a member of a group with edit
privileges to System Preferences (see “Privileges tab” on page 67).
Opening System Preferences

To open the System Preferences dialog:
• From the Tools menu, select System Preferences.

The System Preferences dialog is displayed.
The following table details the default values for System Preferences:
Preference Default Value
Meters Supported All installed meter types enabled.
Site ID Labels #1 - Account:
#2 - Meter ID:
Holidays No holidays will be generated automatically in Special
Dates components.
Dates and Rates Options • Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Season 5, Season 6, etc.
• only 4 seasons will be enabled
• midnight switch times will be generated automatically
Programming Options • line frequency will be the meter clock source
• one cycle of the alternate display list will be seen at
power up
• KYZ Value and Adjusted Kh will be disabled
Time Difference Options Metercat will not check for time errors.
Stored Readings Account value will be used when importing stored
readings.
Setting supported meters

Metercat allows you to specify those meter families and meter types a particular Metercat
installation can support.
Metercat
Note: During Metercat installation time, you specified which type of installation to
perform - Typical ANSI (supports A3 ALPHA and REX meters); Typical IEC (support
A1800 ALPHA meters); Custom (supports a mixture or all meter families). The
selection made during system installation limits the meter families and types
available for support.
To set the meter family and meter types supported by Metercat:
1. From the Tools menu, select System Preferences.

2. On the Meters Supported tab, you may check or uncheck any individual meter family
and type (default is to have all displayed meter families and types checked.).
Note: You must select at least one meter family/type item.
Note: The meter families shown are based on selections made during Metercat software
installation.
3. Click OK to save your changes and return to the Metercat main window; click Apply
to apply your changes now and continue setting preferences; or click Cancel to
return to the main window without saving any unapplied changes.
Setting site ID labels

Metercat allows you to set labels used to identify values used in reports and used by the
computer. These values are then used during:
• setting stored readings options

• configuring the Billing Read task
• configuring the Diagnostic Read task
• configuring the Program task
Additionally, Site ID #2 allows masking of the ID value to restrict editing to certain allowed
characters in the string. This feature is used by the Program task.
Metercat
To set labels to be used by your computer:

2. Select the Site ID Labels tab.
3. For ID #1 Options, type a Label (up to 20-characters maximum length) in the box (the
default is Account:).
4. For ID #2 Options:
a. Type a Label (up to 20 characters maximum length) in the box (the default is
Meter ID:).
b. To specify a default value for ID #2 (maximum of 20 characters), type the value
(default is 00000000000000000000, 20 zeroes).
c. To specify unmasked characters or which characters are digits, enter:
• N to specify masked, or non-editable, characters for each correct position in
the 20 character string
• Y, for editable characters, for each correct position in the 20 character string;
• D, for editable digits for each correct position in the 20 character string; restricts
the editable characters to numeric digits (0-9) only
For example, an ID #2 mask setting of

NNNNNNNNNYYDDDDDDDDD
could have the value of

EG8765432AB987654321
Note: If you change the ID #1 and ID #2 labels, the corresponding labels used throughout
Metercat are changed after the OK or Apply button is clicked.
Metercat
5. To restore the default values for the ID labels, click Use Defaults:
Item Default
Label 1 Account:
Label 2 Meter ID:
Default (20 zeroes) 00000000000000000000
Mask YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Note: Clicking Use Defaults changes any non-default settings to the default values.
to apply your changes now and continue setting preferences or click Cancel to return
to the main window without saving any unapplied changes.
Setting holiday options

Metercat can automatically generate 20 years of special dates for the Roman Catholic/
Protestant calendar’s Easter, Good Friday, and the Monday following Easter when a new
Special Dates component is created.
To enable Metercat to automatically generate these holidays for any new special dates
component:

2. Select the Holidays tab.
3. Check the holidays that you want to be included as nonrecurring dates in any new
special dates components.
Metercat
Configuring seasons
To support both the A3 ALPHA and the A1800 ALPHA meters, Metercat allows you to
specify the number and the names of the seasons used in Metercat. The settings for this
preference affect the following components:
• Special Dates component

• Rates component:
• Day Types component
• Switch Times component
To set the dates and rates options for this particular installation of Metercat:

2. Select the Dates and Rates Options tab.
Note: You can specify that Metercat supports either 4 seasons or that the Rates
component sets the number of seasons supported. See “Switch Times component”
on page 443 for details.
Note: If you are supporting both the A3 ALPHA and the A1800 ALPHA meters (with more
than 4 seasons), Elster recommends you select Specify by the User in Rates
Component (up to 12).
3. For the A3 ALPHA meter and A1800 ALPHA meter, you can specify up to 12 seasons
(default is 4):
• Select 4 Seasons to use the default number or seasons.
• Select Specify by the User in Rates Component (up to 12).
Metercat
• Double-click to enter Season Names as appropriate.

4. Check Automatically Generate Midnight Switches for all Rates Components to
automatically create midnight (00:00) switch times for new Rates components
created by this Metercat installation.
Note: Rates components created prior to enabling this setting will not automatically
generate midnight switch times.
Note: If checked, midnight switch times will set the rate to the default rate defined for
each Rate component. See “Switch Times component” on page 443.
5. Click Use Defaults to if you wish to reset the existing values to the default values:
Item Default
Season Name Season 1-12
Number of Seasons 4 Seasons
Automatically Generate Midnight Enabled
Switches for all Rates Components
Setting programming options

Metercat allows you to control programming options for meter programs created by a
particular computer. The currently supported options are:
• meter clock source.

• KYZ value method
• Adjusted Kh value
To set the program options for this particular installation of Metercat:

2. Select the Programming Options tab.
Metercat
3. Select the Meter Clock Source (whether an internal oscillator or the power line
frequency is used as a basis for timekeeping) for all meters programmed from this
computer.
4. Elster meters are factory-configured to scroll once through the alternate display list at
power up before entering normal scroll mode. Uncheck Show One Cycle of
Alternate Display List at Power Up to disable this feature.
5. Check to Use KYZ Value Method for determining output pulses.
Note: A3 ALPHA meters with firmware version 3.01 and higher and all A1800 ALPHA
meters support the use of a KYZ Value [in kilo units (for example, kWh)].
If you do not select to use KYZ Value, a KYZ Divisor will be used. See “Relay Options
component” on page 405 for a detailed explanation of how the KYZ divisor and KYZ
value are used.
6. If you are using KYZ Value, click Add and enter a positive number in the range of
0.000001 to 100.000000.
Repeat as needed to add additional values to the list. These numbers will appear as
default values in the KYZ Value drop list (see “Change KYZ Output task” on page 98
and “Relay Options component” on page 405).
7. Check to Use Adjusted Kh Value to Configure Meter Constants to specify the
meter’s Adjusted Kh be used instead of the meter’s register multiplier.
8. If you are using Adjusted Kh Value, click Add and enter a positive number in the
range of 0.001 to 999.999.
Repeat as needed to add additional values to the list. These numbers will appear as
default values in the Adjusted Kh drop list (see “Program task” on page 122 and
“Constants component” on page 358).
9. Click Use Defaults if you wish to reset the existing values to the default values:
Item Default
Meter Clock Source Line Frequency
Show One Cycle ALT Display Checked
Metercat
Item Default
Use KYZ Value Method Unchecked
KYZ Values Disabled
Adjusted Kh Disabled
Note: Clicking Use Defaults changes any non-default settings but leaves any KYZ values
and adjusted Kh values you have entered.
10.Click OK to save your changes and return to the Metercat main window; click Apply
Setting time difference options

You may configure Metercat so that a time difference test is performed each time Metercat
communicates with a meter during a billing or a diagnostic read. This test determines how
close the meter’s internal timekeeping matches the clock on the computer running
Metercat.
If the time difference between the meter and computer exceeds the time difference
specified, a time error will be reported on the Function Completion Report. If the time
difference falls within the specified adjustment limits, then Metercat will attempt to adjust
the meter’s time within the day boundary (that is, the meter’s date will never be adjusted).
To set time difference options:

2. Select the Time Difference Options tab.
3. Select one of the following Time Error Criteria options:

Metercat
Note: Time errors are only checked and reported during billing or diagnostic reads.
a. No Time Error Checking to disable the test.
b. If Time Difference Exceeds to enable the test.
4. If you have selected If Time Difference Exceeds, type a time (between 00:00 and
23:59).
5. Select one of the following Time Adjustment Criteria:
Note: Time adjustments are only performed during billing reads.
a. Never Adjust Meter Time to never allow Metercat to adjust the time of the
connected meter.
b. Always Adjust Meter Time to always adjust the meter time to the time of the
computer running Metercat.
c. Adjust Meter Time if Difference is in Range to adjust the meter time only if the
time difference falls within the minimum and maximum range entered (between
00:00 and 99:59).
Note: The minimum time must be less than the maximum time.
6. Click Use Defaults if you wish to reset the existing values to the default values (No
Time Error Checking and Never Adjust Meter Time).
Item Default
Time Error Criteria No Time Error Checking
Time Adjustment Criteria Never Adjust Meter Time
Note: Clicking Use Defaults changes any non-default settings.

Note: The Status section of a function completion report will display an error if the time in
the meter differs from the computer’s time by more than the time specified.
Setting stored readings options

Metercat allows you to specify options for storing meter reading data.
To set stored reading options:

2. Select the Stored Readings tab.
Metercat
Note: Refer to “Setting site ID labels” on page 45 for details on setting ID preferences.
3. Select the ID to be used when you import stored readings:
a. ID #1 [default is Account:]
b. ID #2 [default is Meter ID:]
Note: The imported file’s name will consist of the selected label (meter type + ID + date-
time read). For example, A3K 0123456789 20031216163041.msr indicates an A3K
meter with Account 0123456789 read on 2003.12.16 at 16:30:41.
4. Check Send Stored Readings to the Recycle Bin instead of deleting them to send
stored readings (via Tools > Stored Readings Management > Delete) to your
Recycle Bin rather than purge them immediately from the computer (files in the
Recycle Bin are recoverable if it has not been emptied).
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 54 6. Managing users
6 Managing users
Note: To see the User Management command on the Tools menu you must configure
Metercat as a Multiple User system. See Chapter 4, “Configuring the system.”
User Management is used by Metercat administrators to view and manage user and
group information including:
• Adding a new user • Adding a new group

• Changing a user’s information • Changing a group’s information
• Deleting a user • Deleting a group
• Changing a user’s status • Changing a group’s status
Note: Only members of the Administrators group can access the User Management
command.
Note: To configure user settings when Metercat is configured as a Single User system,
from the Tools menu, select Account information. See “Using account information”
Accessing User Management

To open User Management:
1. From the Tools menu, select User Management.

The User Management dialog is displayed.
Metercat
The User Management dialog contains the following buttons:

Button Description
New User Creates a new user.
New Group Creates a new group.
Edit Edits the currently selected group in the Groups list or the currently
selected user in the Users list.
Delete Deletes the currently selected group in the Groups list or the
currently selected user in the Users list.
Close Closes the User Management dialog.
Help Launches Metercat Help for User Management.
2. Select the appropriate group in the Groups list; the Users list changes to display the
users that are currently assigned to that group.
Note: The -- All Users -- group name displays all users defined in Metercat regardless of
their group memberships.
3. Click Close to close the User Management dialog and return to the main window.
Adding a new user

To add a new user to Metercat:

2. Click New User.
An empty Account Information dialog is displayed with three tabs: General, Details,
and Notes.
Metercat
3. Select the General tab and enter the new user’s general information as described in
“General tab” on page 62.
4. Select the Details tab and enter detailed information on the new user as described in
“Details tab” on page 64.
5. Select the Notes tab and enter any notations on the new user as described in “Notes
tab” on page 64.
6. After you have entered all of the relevant information regarding the new user, click
OK to complete the addition and return to the User Management dialog.
Changing a user’s information

To change a user’s information:

2. Select the user’s name from the Users list.
Note: If you do not see the user’s name in the Users list, select the -- All Users -- group to
view all users.
3. Click Edit.
The Account Information dialog is displayed.
Metercat
An Administrator may edit information for any of the following tabs:

• General tab
• Details tab
• Notes tab
4. After editing the user’s information in the applicable tabs, click OK to save your
changes or Cancel to exit the Account Information dialog without saving your
changes.
Deleting a user
To ensure data integrity, no existing user should be deleted from Metercat; instead, you
should set the user’s status to inactive. However, if a particular user has performed no
work in Metercat (that is, there are no data records associated with the particular user), you
may delete the user from the system without risking data integrity.
If you prefer to set a user to an inactive status rather than deleting them from the database,
see “Changing a user’s status” on page 58.
Note: The Administrator user cannot be deleted nor can it be made inactive.
To delete an existing user:

2. Select the desired user’s name from the Users list.
view all users.
Metercat
3. Click Delete.
Metercat prompts you to confirm the deletion.
4. Click Yes to confirm that you wish to delete the selected user or click No to cancel the
command.
Changing a user’s status

A user’s status may be either active or inactive. If a user leaves the company, you can set
the status to inactive. This action would allow you to continue to view all of the user’s
information, but the user will have no system access.
To set an existing user’s status:

2. Select the user’s name from the Users list.
view all users.
3. Click Edit. to display the Account Information dialog.
4. Uncheck the Active box to make the user inactive.
Check the Active box to make the user active.
Metercat
5. Click OK to confirm your change and return to the User Management dialog or click
Cancel to exit the Account Information dialog without saving your changes.
Adding a new group

To add a new group to Metercat:

2. Click New Group.
An empty Group Information dialog is displayed.
Metercat
3. Select the General tab and enter the new group’s information as described in
“General tab” on page 66.
4. Select the Privileges tab and check the needed access levels for the various items as
described in “Privileges tab” on page 67.
5. Select the Viewsets tab and select those viewsets to which the group needs access
as described in “Viewsets tab” on page 69.
6. Select the Functions tab and select those functions to which the group needs access
as described in “Functions tab” on page 70.
7. Select the Programs tab and select those programs to which the group needs
access as described in “Programs tab” on page 70.
8. Select the Membership tab and select the users who should be members of the new
group as described in “Membership tab” on page 71.
9. Select the Meter Access Level tab and select the group’s appropriate Password Set
for each meter family and Password Level as described in “Meter Access Level tab”
on page 72.
10.After adding the information in the applicable tabs, click OK to complete the addition
or Cancel to exit the Group Information dialog without adding the new group.
Changing a group’s information

To change a group’s information:

2. Select the group’s name from the Groups list.
3. Click Edit.
The Group Information dialog is displayed with the current group settings.
4. Edit the group’s information on any of the seven tabs as needed (see “Entering group
information” on page 65 for details).
Metercat
5. After editing the information in the applicable tabs, click OK to save your changes or
Cancel to exit the Group Information dialog without saving your changes.
Deleting a group
Note: You cannot delete a group if the account you are using is a member of that group.
See “Removing users from a group” on page 72.
Occasionally you may need to delete a group from Metercat.
Note: If you prefer to assign an inactive status rather than deleting a group, see
“Changing a group’s status” on page 61.
Note: The Administrators group cannot be deleted nor made inactive.
To delete an existing group:

3. Click Delete.
4. Click Yes to confirm that you wish to delete the selected group; click No to cancel the
command.
Changing a group’s status

Instead of deleting a group from Metercat, you may set the group’s status to inactive. This
would mean any users who were members of only that one group would be unable to
perform any work using Metercat. However, users who are also members of other active
groups could continue to perform those activities for which the active groups were granted
privileges.
To change an existing group’s status:

3. Click Edit.
The Group Information dialog is displayed.
Metercat
4. Uncheck the Active box to set the group’s status to inactive.

5. Click OK to save your change and return to the User Management dialog.
Entering user information

The User Information dialog allows you to perform the following actions:
• change a user’s information

• set a user’s status (that is, to active or inactive)
Clicking New User or Edit from the User Management dialog displays the User
Information dialog with the following tabs:
• General tab
• Details tab
• Notes tab
Note: You must be a member of the Administrators group to enter or change any user
information.
General tab
The General tab allows you to define a new user’s or edit an existing user’s logon name,
password and group associations.
Metercat
To enter or change a user’s general information:
1. Leave Active checked if you want the user status to be active.

Note: To set the user’s status to Inactive, uncheck the Active check box. Inactive users
can not log on to Metercat.
2. Enter a Meter Programmer’s Identifier if you want the user to have a programmer’s
ID different from the default value assigned. ANSI requires that the number be
unique and between 2 and 9999. Clicking the up or down arrows automatically
selects the next available number in the sequence.
Note: This number will be stored in the meter when it is programmed by the user.
3. Enter the Logon Name (required). The logon name may consist of any alphanumeric
string.
4. Enter the Logon Password (optional).
Note: Leaving the password blank allows the user to access Metercat without entering a
password.
5. Enter the logon password in the Confirm box to verify that you entered it correctly
(required unless the password is blank).
6. From the Available Groups list, select a group and click Add to add the user to the
group (Member Groups list); repeat for each additional group you want the user to
be a member.
Note: You may also use the Group Management > Membership tab to add/remove
users.
7. After you have entered or changed the user’s general information, click OK to save
your changes and return to the User Management dialog or select:
• the Details tab to enter user details
• the Notes tab to enter notes about the user
Metercat
Details tab
The Details tab allows you to enter detailed information about the user (for example, full
name, job description, phone number, etc.).
Note: You do not have to enter any information on this tab.
To enter or change a user’s information:
1. Enter the user’s Full Name (optional).

2. Enter the user’s Description (optional).
3. Enter the user’s E-mail address (optional).
4. Enter the user’s Phone number (optional).
5. Enter any Other Phone number (optional).
6. Enter the user’s Pager number (optional).
7. Enter the user’s Fax number (optional).
8. Enter the user’s Address (optional).
9. After you have entered or changed the user’s detailed information, click OK to save
your changes and return to the User Management dialog or select:
• the General tab to change the user’s logon name, password, status, or group
memberships
• the Notes tab to enter notes about the user
Notes tab
Note: You must be a member of the Administrator group to view or edit this tab.
The Notes tab allows you to enter information or remarks about a user. Possible entries
could include:
Metercat
• creation and creator date

• changes to group assignments
• changes to status
To add notes about a user:
1. Enter the desired information in the Notes tab (for example, date created, creator’s
name, and a log of any changes to the user’s information).
2. After you have entered or changed the user’s notes, click OK to save your changes
and return to the User Management dialog or select:
• the General tab to change the user’s logon name, password, status, or group
memberships
• the Details tab to enter user details
Entering group information

The Group Information dialog allows you to view or edit a group’s information and settings.
The following actions may be performed using the Group Information dialog:
• add a group
• change a group’s information
• set a group’s status
Metercat
The table below describes the contents of Group Information dialog.
Tab Description
General tab entering general group information such as, group
description and notes
Privileges tab setting a group’s access to commands and functions
Viewsets tab setting a group’s access to defined viewsets
Functions tab setting a group’s ability to execute defined functions
Programs tab setting a group’s ability to load defined programs into
meters
Membership tab adding Metercat users to the group
Meter Access Level tab selecting the password set the group will use to
communicate with meters
General tab
The General tab allows you to define the new group’s general information.
To enter or edit the group’s general information:
1. Leave Active checked if you want the group’s status to be active.

Note: To set the group’s status to Inactive, uncheck the Active checkbooks. Users can not
log on to Metercat as members of an inactive group.
2. Enter the Group Name (required).
3. Enter the Description.
4. Enter any Notes regarding the group.
Metercat
Privileges tab
The Privileges tab allows you to set the level of access that a group has, including access
to specific functionality.
To set a group’s privileges:
Note: Click Enable All to check all the privilege checkbooks; click Disable All to clear all
the privilege checkbooks.
1. To set the group’s access to Meter Programs:
• Checking the Create/Edit box allows members of this group to create and modify
programs.
Note: Checking the Create/Edit check box also checks the View check box.
• Checking the View box allows members of this group to view the programs, but
make no modifications.
• Unchecking both boxes prevents members of this group from viewing the
parameters of meter programs even though they may be able to download them
into meters (see “Programs tab” on page 70).
2. To set the group’s access to Viewsets:
viewsets.
• Checking the View box allows members of this group to list the views that
compose viewsets, but make no modifications.
• Unchecking both boxes does not prevent members of this group from viewing
meter data in viewsets (see “Viewsets tab” on page 69) but does prevent them
from separately viewing the composition of a viewset.
3. To set the group’s access to Functions:
functions.
• Checking the View box allows members of this group to list the tasks included in
functions but make no modifications.
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• Unchecking both boxes does not prevent members of this group from executing
functions (see “Functions tab” on page 70) but does prevent them from viewing
the composition or editing those functions.
4. To set the group’s access to Phone Book Entries:
phone book entries.
• Checking the View box allows members of this group to view phone book entries
but make no modifications.
• Unchecking both boxes prevents members of this group from viewing or editing
phone book entries (see Chapter 12, “Managing the Phone Book”) but they will still
be able to initiate remote communications.
5. To set the group’s ability to Edit System Preferences:
• Checking the Access box allows members of this group to change system
preferences (see Chapter 5, “Setting system preferences”) for the Metercat
installation.
• Unchecking the Access box prevents members of this group from accessing the
System Preferences command.
6. To set the group’s ability to Manage Meter Passwords:
• Checking the Access box allows members of this group access to Meter
Passwords Management where they can define meter passwords sets for use by
different groups (see Chapter 9, “Managing meter passwords”).
• Leaving the Access box unchecked prevents access to Meter Passwords
Management.
7. To set the group’s ability to Export Stored Readings:
• Checking the Access box allows members of this group to export stored meter
readings (from MSR to HHF, MSR, or ASCII formats). See Chapter 10, “Managing
stored readings.”
• Leaving the Access box unchecked prevents members from exporting files.
8. To set the group’s ability to Import Stored Readings:
• Checking the Access box allows members of this group to import stored meter
readings (in MSR format only). See Chapter 10, “Managing stored readings.”
• Leaving the Access box unchecked prevents members from importing files.
9. To set the group’s ability to Delete Stored Readings:
• Checking the Access box allows members of this group to delete stored readings.
See Chapter 10, “Managing stored readings.”
• Leaving the Access box unchecked prevents members from deleting stored
readings.
10.To set the group’s ability to Delete Meter Programs:
• Checking the Access box allows members of this group to delete meter programs
and components (see “Deleting a program” on page 342).
• Leaving the Access box unchecked prevents members from deleting meter
programs and components.
11. To set the group’s ability to Import Meter Programs:
• Checking the Access box allows members of this group to import meter
programs that have been exported from Metercat 1.5 or higher. See Chapter 16,
“Importing a program or component.”
• Leaving the Access box unchecked prevents members from importing programs
and components.
12.To set the group’s ability to Launch Alpha Keys:
• Checking the Access box allows members of this group to launch Alpha Keys 2.0
software.
• Leaving the Access box unchecked prevents members from launching Alpha
Metercat
Keys software.
Viewsets tab
The Viewsets tab allows you to select the viewsets members of the group can use to view
particular subsets of meter data. Different viewsets allow viewing of different sets of meter
data. See Chapter 11, “Managing viewsets” for details on the type of meter information
each view displays.
Note: You may also use Viewset Management to add or remove group access (see
Chapter 11, “Managing viewsets” for details.)
Adding a viewset
To add a viewset to a group’s Enabled Viewsets list:
1. Using either the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key, select the desired viewsets from the Available
Viewsets list.
2. Click Add to move the selected viewsets to the Enabled Viewsets list.
— Or —
Click All to move all of the available viewsets to the Enabled Viewsets list.
Note: Any group with create/edit privileges for viewsets (see “Privileges tab” on page 67)
can define group access rights for any viewsets they create at the time they are
created.
Removing a viewset
To remove a viewset from a group’s Enabled Viewsets list:
1. Using either the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key, select the desired viewsets from the Enabled
Viewsets list.
2. Click Remove to move the selected viewsets to the Available Viewsets list.
— Or —
Metercat
Click All to remove all of the viewsets from the Enabled Viewsets list.
Functions tab
The Functions tab allows you to select the functions that members of the group may
execute.
Note: You may also use the Function Builder to add or remove a group’s access to a
function (see Chapter 7, “Managing functions” for details.).
Adding a function
To add a function to a group’s Enabled Functions list:
1. Using either the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key, select the desired functions from the Available
Functions list.
2. Click Add to move the selected functions to the Enabled Functions list.
Note: Any group with create/edit privileges for functions (see “Privileges tab” on page 67)
can define group access rights for any new functions they create at the time they
are created.
Removing a function
To remove a function from a group’s Enabled Functions list:
1. Using either the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key, select the desired functions from the Enabled
Functions list.
2. Click Remove to move the selected functions to the Available Functions list.
Programs tab
The Programs tab allows you to select the meter programs that members of the group can
load into meters.
Metercat
Note: Creating, editing and viewing programs is controlled by the Group Management
Privileges tab. Executing functions is controlled by the Group Management
Functions tab.
When building a function, the selection of a default program on the Program task
configuration form is unrestricted. See “Program task” on page 122 for details.
Adding a program
To add a program to a group’s Enabled Programs list:
1. Using either the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key, select the desired programs from the
Available Programs list.
2. Click Add to move the selected programs to the Enabled Programs list.
Note: Any group with create/edit privileges for programs (see “Privileges tab” on page
67) can define group access rights for any new programs they create at the time
they are created.
Removing a program
To remove a program from a group’s Enabled Programs list:
1. Using either the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key, select the desired programs from the Enabled
Programs list.
2. Click Remove to move the selected programs to the Available Programs list.
Membership tab
The Membership tab allows you to select those users who will be members of the group.
Note: You may also use User Information to add or remove a user from a group (see
“Entering user information” on page 62 for details).
Metercat
Adding users to a group

To add a user to a group:
1. Using either the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key, select the logon names of the desired users
from the Non-members list.
2. Click Add to move the selected users to the Member Users list; click All>> to add all
users to the group.
Note: Adding a non-member to the Member Users list updates the user’s information.
Removing users from a group

To remove a user from a group:
1. Using either the <Shift> or <Ctrl> key, select the logon names of the desired users
from the Member Users list.
2. Click Remove to move the selected user to the Non-member Users list; click <<All to
remove all users from the group.
Meter Access Level tab

The Meter Access Level tab allows you to select the meter password set that the group will
use to communicate with Elster meters. Each ANSI C12.19 password set contains three
passwords (read only, billing read, and unrestricted). The meter access level determines
which of the three passwords in the password set is used when members of the group
attempt meter communications.
The REX password set is one 8-digit password (padded with zeros on the right if less than
8 digits are entered) that is used to communicate through the optical port only.
Metercat
Note: The password set and meter access level do not affect which Metercat features
are available to members of the group (this is determined by the Privileges tab). For
example, a group that has an unrestricted password has only those features and
functions as determined by the Privileges tab, Viewsets tab, Functions tab, and
Programs tab.
See Chapter 9, “Managing meter passwords” for detailed information on meter password
sets.
Note: To configure user settings when Metercat is configured as a Single User system,
from the Tools menu, select Account information. See “Meter Access Level tab” on
page 37 for details on setting single user meter password sets.
.
To set a group’s meter password options:
1. From the ANSI C12.19 Password Set drop list, select the password set the group will
use to communicate with A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters.
Note: The Elster default password set consists of 20 zeros for all password levels.
2. To use Alpha Keys to upgrade ALPHA Plus meters, select the ALPHA Plus Password
Set the group will use to communicate with ALPHA Plus meters.
Note: Alpha Keys uses only the Unrestricted meter password for communicating with an
ALPHA Plus meter and uses the Unrestricted optical password for a meter
programmed with a non-zero Device ID.
3. For A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA meters, select the appropriate type of Password
Level for ANSI C12.19 Meter Communications.
Note: Elster recommends that each password level within a password set should be
different because the meter compares the transmitted password with its
programmed passwords in sequence: 1) highest, 2) normal, and then 3) lowest. If
the Ready Only password is the same as the Unrestricted password, theoretically a
Read Only group could gain unrestricted access to the meter.
• If Read Only Password is selected, members of this group will only be able to use
the lowest level meter password of the selected password set.
• If Billing Read Password (Allow Demand Reset) is selected, members of this
group will be able to use the billing read meter password of the selected
Metercat
password set.
• If Unrestricted Password is selected, members of this group will be able to use
the highest level password of the selected password set.
4. For REX meters, select the appropriate Password from the drop list.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 75 7. Managing functions
7 Managing functions
The Function Management tool allows you to view and manage metering functions
including:
• Building a function
• Viewing a function
• Metercat’s sample functions
• Changing a function
• Deleting a function
• Executing a function
• Repeating a function execution
• Troubleshooting Task Execution
Accessing Function Management

To open the Function Management dialog:

The Function Management dialog is displayed.
2. Click Close to close the dialog and return to the Metercat main window.
Metercat
The following table describes the buttons found on the Function Management
dialog.
Button Description
New Builds a new function.
Note: You must be a member of an authorized group to perform this
action.
Edit Edits the currently selected function.
action.
Note: Double clicking a function opens the selected function for editing.
Note: Double clicking an included task opens the selected function and
displays the selected task’s parameter dialog for editing.
Delete Deletes the currently selected function.
action.
Close Closes the Function Management dialog
Help Opens Metercat Help for Function Management.
Metercat’s sample functions

Metercat includes the following sample functions:
Function Name Task & Settings

Billing Read with Reset Billing Read task - storage mode = Append;
Meter ID; Perform Demand Reset; read the
following:
• Interval Data (Pulses) - All
• Interval Data (Instrumentation) - None
• History Log - All
• Event Log - All
• PQM Log - All
• Self Read Data - All
• Collector/Node Data - Status
Change Demand Overload Change Demand Overload task - Enter at Run
time
Change Demand Threshold Change Demand Thresholds task - Enter at
Run time
Change Higher Passwords Change Passwords task - change billing read
and unrestricted meter passwords
Change ICM Custom SIDs Change ICM Custom SIDs task
Change ICM Settings Change ICM Settings task
Change KYZ Divisor Change KYZ Output task - Enter at Run time
Change Modem Init String Change Modem Init String task - Enter at
Runtime
Change Read Only Password Change Passwords task - change Read Only
meter password
Change Remote Definition Replace Remote task
Change Time Change Time task - Enter at Run time; Do not
change Time Zone
Clear Battery Log Clear Battery Log task
Metercat
Function Name Task & Settings

Clear Event Flags Clear Event Flags task
Clear Event Log Clear Event Log task
Clear Values & Statuses Clear Data task
Configure Special Option Board Configure Special Option Board task
Diagnostic Read Diagnostic Read task - storage mode
=Replace; reading filename ID = Account;
read the following:
• Interval Data (Pulses) - Number of Days
• Interval Data (Instrumentation) - Number of
Days
• History Log - All
• Event Log - All
• PQM Log - All
• Self Read Data - All
• Collector/Node Data - Status
Edit Service Test Edit Service Test task
Program Program task
Read ICM Custom SIDs Read ICM Custom SIDs task
Register Edit Register Edit task
Reset Demand Demand Reset task
Test ICM Test ICM task - Enter at Run time; default
values:
• Connect Timeout = 60 sec
• Duration = 240 sec
• Bit Rate = 1200 bps
• Threshold = 20.0
• RSSI Threshold = -114
Turn OFF Test Mode Test Mode Off task
Turn ON Test Mode Test Mode On task
Unlock Service Unlock Service task
View ICM Status View ICM Status task
The following tasks are not included in any sample functions:
• Change Out LAN Collector task • Turn PQM ON/OFF task

• Clear ICM Over-temperature Counters task • REX Change Password task
• Clear PQM Data task • REX Clear Data task
• Edit PQM Thresholds task • REX Connect Service task
• Replace PQM task • REX Demand Reset task
• Replace Program task • REX Disconnect Service task
• Replace Rates and Dates task • REX Meter Identification Info task
To use the above tasks you must define a function containing the desired task. See
“Building a function” on page 77 for details.
Building a function
To build a new function:

Metercat

2. Click New.
The Function Builder dialog displays with two tabs: Function Definition and Access
Control.
3. Select the Function Definition tab to enter the new function’s information.
4. Select the Access Control tab to select those groups that will have access to the new
function.
5. If desired, enter a Keyboard Shortcut to assign a key combination (for example, Ctrl +
Shift + L, Ctrl + T, etc.) to the function (see “Assigning function shortcuts” on page 29
for recommended key sequences.
6. After selecting functions and groups, click OK to return to the Function Management
dialog.
Function Definition tab

The Function Definition tab allows you to select from a list of Available Tasks those
Included Tasks that will be executed by the function.
Note: Metercat provides a set of tasks to be used in building functions. See “Available
tasks” on page 88 for more detailed information.
Entering function definition information

To enter the new function’s definition information:
1. Enter the Function Name (for example, Change Meter ID for a program task with
the Meter ID parameter set to Enter at Run Time).
2. To add or remove tasks:
Metercat
a. From the Available Tasks listing select a task you want to be performed by the
function on a meter and click Add to add the selected task to the bottom of the
Included Tasks list.
Note: Using either the <Shift> or the <Ctrl> keys you can select more than one task to
add to the list.
Note: You may add more than one of the same tasks to the Included Tasks list. Elster
recommends that only one Program task be included in a function definition.
Note: REX meter tasks cannot be included with A3 ALPHA meter tasks in a function
definition.
b. Select a task from the Included Tasks list and click Remove to remove the selected
task from the Included Tasks list.
c. Click All to remove all Included Tasks.
Note: See “Available tasks” on page 88 for detailed information on tasks.
3. Depending on the task added, a Parameters dialog may display for you to set the
configuration settings of the selected task.
4. To change the execution order of the Included Tasks list:
a. Select a task from the Included Tasks list and click Up to move the selected task
up one position in the list (that is, it will execute earlier).
b. Select a task from the Included Tasks list and click Down to move the selected
task down one position in the list (that is, it will execute later).
5. Select the Access Control tab to add groups to the Enabled Groups list or click OK to
save the new function and return to the Function Management dialog.
Access Control tab

Note: This tab is only seen when Metercat is configured as a multi-user system. See
“Configuring the user environment” on page 40 for details.
The Access Control tab allows you to select those groups that will be able to execute the
new function.
Enabling a group’s access

To grant a group access to a particular function:
1. From the Disallowed Groups list, select a group.

Note: Using either the <Shift> or the <Ctrl> keys you can select more than one group to
add to the list.
2. Use the arrow buttons (see “Using movement buttons” on page 22) to add the group
to the Enabled Groups list.
Metercat
3. Click OK to save the new function and return to the Function Management dialog.
Disabling a group’s access

To remove a group from access to a particular function:
1. Select a group from the Enabled Groups list.

Note: Using either the <Shift> or the <Ctrl> keys you can select more than one group to
add to the list.
2. Use the arrow buttons (see “Using movement buttons” on page 22) to move the
group to the Disallowed Groups list.
3. Click OK to save the new function and return to the Function Management dialog.
Viewing a function
To view a function’s settings:

2. Select a function from the Functions list.
3. Click Edit; the Function Builder dialog appears with the selected function’s task list
displayed.
Metercat
4. Select the tasks you need to view from the Included Tasks list.
5. Click Parameters to view the configuration settings for the selected task for those
tasks that have configurable parameters (for example, program task).
6. After you have reviewed the selected task, click Cancel to return to the Function
Builder dialog.
7. Repeat for any additional tasks in the function.
8. When you have completed reviewing the selected function, click Cancel to close the
Function Builder dialog and return to the Function Management dialog.
Changing a function
To change a function’s definition:

3. Click Edit.
— Or —
Double click a function or a function task to open the selected function in the Function
Builder.
Note: Double clicking an included task displays the parameter dialog for editing.
The Function Builder dialog appears with the selected function’s task list displayed.
4. Make the needed changes:
• Changing a task’s parameters
• Adding a task to a function
• Removing a task from a function
Metercat
• Changing the task execution order

• Changing a function’s access control list
• Setting a function shortcut
5. After you have made all of your changes, click OK to save your changes or Cancel to
close the Function Management dialog and return to the Metercat main window.
Changing a task’s parameters

To change a task’s parameters:
1. Select the task you need to change from the Included Tasks list.
2. Click Parameters to edit the settings for the selected task.
— Or —
Double click a task to open the selected task’s parameters.
Note: See “Available tasks” on page 88 for information on available tasks and their
parameters.
3. When you have completed your changes, click OK to save the changed task or click
Cancel to close the Function Builder dialog and return to the Function Management
dialog.
4. Repeat for any additional tasks.
Adding a task to a function

To add a task to the list of Included Tasks:
1. Select the tasks you need to add from the Available Tasks list.
add to the list.
2. Click Add.
Removing a task from a function

To remove a task from the list of Included Tasks:
1. Select the tasks you need to remove from the Included Tasks list.
remove from the list.
2. Click Remove.
Changing the task execution order

Tasks are processed in the order that they occur in the Function Builder Included Tasks
listing.
To change the execution order of Included Tasks:
1. From the Included Tasks list, select the task to be moved.

2. Click Up to move the task up in the list (the task executes earlier); click Down to move
the task down in the list (the task executes later).
Changing a function’s access control list

To change the Access Control list for the function:
1. Select the Access Control tab.

2. From the Enabled Groups list, select the group to remove and click Remove.
3. From the Disallowed Groups list, select a group to add and click Add to add the
group to the Enabled Groups list.
Metercat
Setting a function shortcut

If desired, enter a Keyboard Shortcut to assign a key combination (for example, <Ctrl> +
<Shift> + <L>, <Ctrl> + <F1>, etc.) to the function (see “Assigning function shortcuts” on
page 29 for recommended key sequences.
Deleting a function
To delete a function:

3. Click Delete.
Metercat prompts you to confirm the deletion:
4. Click Yes to confirm that you wish to delete the selected function; click No to cancel
the command.
Executing a function
To execute a function you must first:
1. Define a connection as described in “Adding a new connection” on page 161.

2. Establish a connection with the meter as described in “Establishing communications
with a meter” on page 169.
3. Execute the created function as described below or see “Executing a function using
shortcuts” on page 31 for details in using function shortcut keys to execute a function.
Note: Your group must have privileges and have the appropriate password access level
to execute the function. See “Functions tab” on page 70 for details on setting
function privileges and “Meter Access Level tab” on page 72 for details on setting
meter password access level.
If the function contains more than one task and you do not have the proper
password access for one or more tasks, only those tasks to which you have the
proper password access will execute. For example, if your password access level is
Read Only and you attempt to execute a function containing a Diagnostic Read task
(password access Read Only) followed by a Demand Reset task (password access
Billing), the Diagnostic Read task will complete successfully but the Demand Reset
task will fail.
If the task execution order were reversed (that is, Demand Reset task followed by a
Diagnostic Read task) the Demand Reset task would fail and the function will stop
executing (the Diagnostic Read will not be initiated).
To execute a function on a connected meter:
1. From the Connections menu, select a Connection.

The connection toolbar displays with the Function and Viewsets drop-lists.
Metercat
2. If you are connecting to a meter on a modem sharing unit (MSU), enter the Device ID.
3. From the Function drop-list, select the function.
Note: Programs are identified by their ‘Meter Type - ID Number - Program Description’ for
example, A3K - 002 - TOU, LP Program.
Note: The Viewset list of the connection toolbar is enabled only if the selected function
contains a Read task (Billing or Diagnostic).
4. Click Go to execute the function.
After clicking Go, the button changes to Cancel.
Clicking Cancel during function execution stops all meter communication; the
progress indicator displays ‘cancelling’ message while the command is processed.
5. After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter.
The area on the far right of the connection toolbar indicates the progress of the tasks
and any errors that occur during the execution.
6. After the meter is identified, a dialog displays for you to enter the task’s run time
settings.
Note: A dialog will appear for each task in the function regardless of any settings of
Prompt.
Note: The meter family (A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA) and type (D/T/K/R/Q) of the
connected meter is used to filter the list of programs displayed in the Program ID
drop list. Additionally, the list is filtered by programs that are available to the user’s
logged on group.
7. After you have entered all run time data, the tasks are processed in their execution
order (see “Changing the task execution order” on page 82).
Note: A progress indicator appears to the right of the Viewset drop-list on the connection
toolbar.
After the successful completion of the function:
• a function completion report displays (see “Function Completion Report” on page
86 for details)
Metercat
• the Repeat button is enabled (see “Repeating a function execution” on page

85 for details)
Note: If an error occurs during the execution of a task, Metercat terminates the execution
and all tasks subsequent to the failed task are not executed. If the error occurs
after the meter is identified, the error message is logged to the Function
Completion Report.
Repeating a function execution
Repeatable functions
The following table lists the functions that can be repeated using the Repeat button on the
Connections toolbar:
Repeat without re-entering settings

Diagnostic Read task Change Out LAN Collector task
Billing Read task Clear Battery Log task
Change Time task Clear Data task
Demand Reset task Clear Event Flags task
REX Change Password task Clear Event Log task
REX Clear Data task Clear ICM Over-temperature Counters task
REX Connect Service task Clear PQM Data task
REX Demand Reset task Configure Special Option Board task
REX Disconnect Service task Read ICM Custom SIDs task
REX Meter Identification Info task Replace PQM task
Change Demand Overload task Replace Program task
Change Demand Thresholds task Replace Rates and Dates task
Change ICM Settings task Replace Remote task
Change KYZ Output task Test ICM task
Change Passwords task Test Mode Off task
Change Modem Init String task Turn PQM ON/OFF task
Unlock Service task
Optional to re-enter settings
Program task
• Account is different from <Factory Serial Num> or <Utility Serial Num>
• Meter ID is different from <Factory Serial Num> or <Utility Serial Num>
• Device ID is present and is different from Always Master
Replace Remote task
• Device ID is present
Must re-enter settings

Register Edit task
Edit Service Test task
Edit PQM Thresholds task
Test Mode On task
Non-repeatable functions
The following table lists the functions that cannot be repeated using the Repeat button on
the Connections toolbar:
Not Repeat
Change ICM Custom SIDs task
View ICM Status task
Metercat
Using the Repeat button

To execute a function again using the Repeat button:
1. After executing a function for the first time in a Metercat session, connect to another
meter.
Note: You must successfully execute the function the first time before the Repeat button
will be enabled.
2. Click Repeat button on the connection toolbar.
— Or —
Press F9 on the keyboard.
The function executes using the same run time settings from the first execution.
A Completion Report will display after the first execution of a function. If the
Completion Report is not closed, for each use of the Repeat command, details for the
executed function will be appended to the open Completion Report.
Function Completion Report

A function completion report is composed at the end of function execution. This report
summarizes all activity performed by the function. The report is presented in an HTML
viewer and can be either saved or printed. Appendix B, “Report Samples” contains
samples of reports created by Metercat. See “Sample Program Completion Report” on
page 294 for an example of a program completion report.
Errors are also reported in the completion report (except for errors involving the HTML file
itself which are reported by a message dialog and errors that occur prior to meter
identification). Errors include: communications errors, data content errors, file errors, and
database errors.
The completion report may include the following information:
• Title
Metercat
• Name of function
• Name of the logged-in user
• Time and Time Zone when function execution began (computer local)
• ID #1 and #2
• Sections for each task including:
• task name
• task success or failure
• if a program task was executed the following information is also provided:
• Program ID
• Time Zone (for timekeeping meters only)
• IDs
• Factory Ke
• Adjusted Ke (if different from Factory Ke)
• Metering Application
• CT
• VT
• Multiplier
• Special Dates
• Demand Overload (if overridden or truncated)
• KYZ Divisor or KYZ Value1 (if overridden)
• Demand Threshold(s) (if truncated)
• Service Test Component
• PQM Component
• Remote Component
• Pulse Interval Data Recording status (ENABLED or disabled) and allocation (in
days)
• Instrumentation Set 1 and 2 interval data recording status (ENABLED or
disabled) and allocation (in days)
• Power Quality Monitoring status (ENABLED or disabled) and feature status (ON
or OFF)
• Loss Compensation status (ENABLED or disabled) and whether configured
If the function definition included a Billing or Diagnostic Read task, after reviewing the
report, click the form Close button to view the viewset’s data.
1. Depends on System Preferences. See “Setting programming options” on page 49 for more information.
Metercat
Available tasks
Metercat includes the following basic tasks to be used when you build a function:
A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter tasks

Billing Read task Demand Reset task
Change Demand Overload task Diagnostic Read task
Change Demand Thresholds task Edit PQM Thresholds task
Change KYZ Output task Edit Service Test task
Change Passwords task Program task
Change Modem Init String task Register Edit task
Change Time task Replace PQM task
Clear Battery Log task Replace Program task
Clear Data task Replace Rates and Dates task
Clear Event Flags task Replace Remote task
Clear Event Log task Test Mode Off task
Clear PQM Data task Test Mode On task
Configure Special Option Board task Turn PQM ON/OFF task
Unlock Service task
A3 ALPHA meter tasks

Change ICM Custom SIDs task Read ICM Custom SIDs task
Change ICM Settings task Test ICM task
Change Out LAN Collector task View ICM Status task
Clear ICM Over-temperature Counters task
REX meter tasks

REX Change Password task REX Meter Identification Info task
REX Clear Data task REX Disconnect Service task
REX Demand Reset task REX Connect Service task
Note: For each task, the indicated password level (Min. Password Level) is the minimum
level required to execute the specific task. See “About meter passwords” on page
172 for more information.
Billing Read task

Minimum Password Level: Billing
Supported Meters: A3 ALPHA, A1800 ALPHA
By adding a Billing Read task to a function definition, the function will perform a billing read
of the connected meter. The billing read file will be stored as an MSR file in the
Metercat\Readings\Billing folder.
Note: A successful Billing Read task will clear meter statuses.

Note: Based on your System Preferences > Setting time difference options, a successful
Billing Read may adjust the meter’s time.
Note: If you experience problems when reading a meter, ensure that you have Full
Access to Metercat’s \Config, \Readings, and \Reports folders (and their
subfolders). See your IS Administrator for assistance.
Metercat
Configuring the Billing Read task

To configure the Billing Read task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Billing Read function or a function
that includes the Billing Read task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Billing Read task.
4. Click Parameters.
5. Select the Storage Mode for the reading file:

• None - a stored reading file will not be generated; data will be displayed in the
selected viewset
• Append - a new stored reading file will be created with each read (no data is
overwritten)
• Replace - the new stored reading file will replace (that is, overwrite) the most
recently stored billing reading for the same meter
6. Select the Reading Filename ID, that is, the meter’s ID used to create the billing read
filename:
• Account: [default]
• Meter ID:
See “Setting site ID labels” on page 45 for details on configuring ID labels.
7. Select to read Interval Data (Pulses):
Metercat
• None - no load profiling data will be read

• All - all load profiling data will be read
• Unread - load profiling data that is not marked as read will be read
• Unread with Update - load profiling data marked as unread will be read and the
unread marker will be updated to indicate the data that has been read
• Number of Days (specify a number from 1 to 999) - load profiling data for the
specified number of days will be read
8. Select to read Interval Data (Instrumentation):
• None - no instrumentation profiling data will be read
• All - all instrumentation profiling data will be read
• Unread - instrumentation profiling data marked as unread will be read
• Unread with Update - instrumentation profiling data marked as unread will be
read and the unread marker will be updated to indicate the data that has been
read
• Number of Days (specify a number from 1 to 999) - instrumentation profiling data
for the specified number of days will be read
Note: The meter has separate unread markers for load profiling data and
instrumentation profiling data.
9. Select to read History Log:
• None - no history log data will be read
• All - all history log data will be read
10.Select to read Event Log:
• None - no event log data will be read
• All - all event log data will be read
11. Select to read PQM Logs:
• None - no PQM log or Sag log data will be read
• All - all PQM log and Sag log data will be read
Note: PQM and Sag statuses are always read.
12.Select to read Self Read Data:
• None - no self read data will be read
• All - all self read data will be read
13.Select to read Collector/Node Data:
Note: Only applies for A3 ALPHA meters with ILC1 or ILN1 option boards.
Item Description Password Level
Status if the connected meter has an ILC1 (internal Read Only, Billing or
LAN controller) or an ILN1 (internal LAN Unrestricted
node) option board only LAN status data
will be read
All all LAN status and LAN read data will be Unrestricted
read
Note: For meters with ILN1, selecting All or All Except LP will read status, configuration,
and billing data (LP data will not be read).
Note: If the ILN1 contains no data when the meter is read (that is, no data yet has been
stored in the option board or data has been recently cleared), the task will succeed
but a message will appear in the function completion report “Reading of Internal
LAN Node Current Billing data failed.”
14.Check Perform Demand Reset to perform a demand reset in the meter after a
successful billing read.
Metercat
15.Check Create PROFILE HHF to create an MV-90 HHF file whenever interval data is
read.
Note: This setting is only available if Storage Mode is set to Append or Replace and
Interval Data (Pulses) is not set to None.
The HHF reading filename is based on the reading filename ID selection and is
placed in the \Metercat\Readings\HHF folder. See “Exporting stored readings” on
page 184 for more information on exporting files.
16.Click OK.
See “Diagnostic Read task” on page 115 for diagnostic reading details.
Performing a billing read

See “Reading a meter” on page 300 for details on performing a billing read.
Change Demand Overload task

Minimum Password Level: Unrestricted
By adding a Change Demand Overload task to a function definition, the function will
change the current overload value programmed in the meter.
Configuring the Change Demand Overload task

To configure the Change Demand Overload task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Change Demand Overload
function or a function that includes the Change Demand Overload task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Change Demand Overload task.
The Change Overload Task Configuration dialog displays.
5. Enter the new Overload value (range of 0.0000 to 999999.9999 (default is 0.0000).
Note: If the value is truncated at function execution, a note will appear on the Function
Completion Report.
6. Check Prompt for Override to enter overload value at task execution time;
otherwise, the default value entered as Overload will be programmed into the
meter.
Metercat
Caution: The Register Multiplier, Demand Overload, and Demand

Threshold values cannot all be set to their maximum values. If
you set these to their maximum value, executing any of the
following tasks will fail: Program task, Change Demand
Overload task, Change Demand Thresholds task. For example,
if the Register Multiplier is set to 1000000.0 and you attempt to
change the Overload value to 999999.9999; the attempt will
fail with the error: The calculated Overload (kilo units): value
has too many significant digits.
7. Click OK.
Changing demand overload

To change the demand overload value in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Change Demand
Overload task.
— Or —
Press the assigned function shortcut keys.
After clicking Go, the button changes to Cancel. Clicking Cancel during function
execution stops all meter communication.
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Change
Demand Overload run time dialog.
4. Enter the value for Overload within the range of 0.0000 to 999999.9999 [default is
0.0000].
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change Demand Overload
Completion Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the new
overload value.
Change Demand Thresholds task

By adding a Change Demand Thresholds task to a function definition, the function will
change the following:
• if the meter is single rate demand, a single (total) threshold is replaced

• if the meter is multi-rate (that is, TOU), four tiered thresholds are replaced
Metercat
Configuring the Change Demand Thresholds task

2. Click Edit.
The Change Thresholds Task Configuration dialog displays.
5. Enter the value for a Single Rate Demand Threshold:

• Enter value in the range of 0.0000 to 999999.9999 (default is 0.0000)
• Prompt for Override at Run Time - check to enter value at task execution time.
6. Enter the values for Multi-rate Demand Threshold:
• Rate A - Enter value: range of 0.0000 to 999999.9999 (default is 0.0000)
• Rate B - Enter value: range of 0.0000 to 999999.9999 (default is 0.0000)
• Rate C - Enter value: range of 0.0000 to 999999.9999 (default is 0.0000)
• Rate D - Enter value: range of 0.0000 to 999999.9999 (default is 0.0000)
• Prompt for Override at Run Time - for each rate, check to enter value at task
execution time.
Note: If any value is truncated at function execution, a note will appear on the Function
Completion Report.
Metercat

7. Click OK.
Changing demand thresholds

To change the demand threshold values in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Change Demand
Threshold task.
— Or —
Demand Threshold run time dialog.
4. For multi-rate meters, enter the appropriate value for each rate; for single rate
meters, enter the value.
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change Demand Threshold
threshold values.
Metercat

Supported Meters: A3 ALPHA
Note: The meter must have an internal cellular modem (ICM) to execute this task.
By adding a Change ICM Custom SIDs task to a function definition, the function will change
the internal cellular modem’s table of custom SIDs.
The Custom SIDs file includes the following information:
• SIDs:
• each SID value must be between 0-32767
• number of SID entries in custom SID file (0-1021)
• Custom SIDs ID as 2 ASCII characters (optional)
• Network Plan ID as 2 ASCII characters (optional)
Note: This task may be performed using either the optical or a remote connection. If
performed using the remote connection, the new settings take effect after the
connection is dropped.
Example custom SIDs file

A Custom SIDs file would look like the following:
********************************************************
* SID file created 2.May.2002
* created by John Doe
********************************************************
Custom SIDs ID=B1
Network Plan ID=81
69
144
102
53
79
111
241
Note: Comment lines may be used in the file and must begin with any of one of the
following characters at the beginning of the line:
/ forward slash
; semicolon
! exclamation
# number sign
* asterisk
Note: Custom SID numbers depend on the cellular service plan on which the meter is
activated so they must be supplied by the cellular service provider.
Metercat
Changing ICM custom SIDs

To change the ICM custom SID values in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Change ICM Custom
SIDs task.
— Or —
ICM Custom SIDs run time dialog.
4. Enter a complete file path for the file containing the Custom SID data to be written to
the ICM:
a. The file drive and path defaults to the drive and path of the database files
(C:\Program Files\Elster\Metercat\Config).
b. The file extension must be TXT.
Metercat fills in the dialog items from the items in the specified TXT file.
After selecting the SIDs file the items below are automatically populated based on
the contents of the file:
• SIDs Loaded - The number of SIDs loaded from the custom SID file.
• Custom SIDs ID - (optional) A 2-character identifier for the custom SIDs file (longer
values will be truncated to 2 characters).
Note: This variable is case insensitive.
• Network Plan ID - (optional) A 2-character identifier for the ICM network plan
(longer values will be truncated to 2 characters).
Note: This variable is case insensitive.
• SIDs - A listing of SIDs contained in the SID file.
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change ICM Custom SIDs
SID values.
Metercat
Change ICM Settings task

By adding a Change ICM Settings task to a function definition, the function will change the
internal cellular modem (ICM) settings.
Note: This task may be performed using either the optical or the remote connection. If
connection is dropped.
Changing ICM settings

To change the ICM settings in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Change ICM Settings
task.
— Or —
ICM Settings Task run time dialog.
4. Enter the Mobile ID Number (the 10 digit telephone number provided by cellular
carrier).
5. If the operating Mode is not Win4, enter a Home System Identification Number
(SID) provided by your cellular carrier.
6. Select an operating Mode:
a. Home: Always use Home network; No roaming permitted. The SID numbers
provided by the cellular carrier define the Home network.
b. Normal: use Home network if available, otherwise permit roaming on non-home
network.
c. Network A: use network A only; permit roaming only on Network A.
d. Network B: use network B only; permit roaming only on Network B.
Metercat
e. Win4: only applicable to specific carrier contracts;

1) Win4 with Verizon
2) TelemetryNET with Telenetics, Inc.
f. Custom: the ICM radio will automatically select one SID from a pre-defined
Custom SIDs file. This mode is used to prevent roaming when a carrier has
several SIDs in a given geographical area. See “Change ICM Custom SIDs task” on
page 95 and “Read ICM Custom SIDs task” on page 127.
7. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change ICM Settings
values.
Change KYZ Output task

By adding a Change KYZ Output task to a function definition, the function will change the
KYZ Divisor or KYZ Value that is currently programmed for the meter’s relays.
Configuring the Change KYZ Output task

To configure the Change KYZ Output task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Change KYZ Output function or a
function that includes the Change KYZ Output task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Change KYZ Output task.
The Change KYZ Output Task Configuration dialog displays.
KYZ Value disabled KYZ Value enabled
Note: If KYZ Value is enabled you will see both KYZ Divisor and KYZ Value. See “Setting
programming options” on page 49 for details.
5. For KYZ Divisor, enter a non-zero integer in the range of 1 to 999.
6. For KYZ Value, enter a number or select a non-zero number from the drop list.
Note: The numbers listed in the drop list are dependent on the values entered for KYZ
Value in your System Preferences. Entering a number will not add it to the list of
values in the drop list. See “Setting programming options” on page 49 for details.
Metercat
7. Check Prompt for Override at Run Time to enter a different value at task execution
time.
8. Click OK.
Changing KYZ output values

To change the KYZ Divisor or KYZ Value in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Change KYZ Output
task.
— Or —
KYZ Output Task run time dialog.
Note: For A1800 ALPHA meters and A3 ALPHA meters with firmware 3.01 or higher, if you
enabled KYZ Value in your System Preferences, you will see KYZ Value in the run
time override form.
Note: If you disabled KYZ Value in your System Preferences, you will see KYZ Divisor in
the run time override form.
KYZ Value disabled KYZ Value enabled
4. Enter the value for the KYZ Divisor or select or enter the KYZ Value.
Note: Entering a number for the KYZ Value will not add it to the list of default values in the
drop list. To edit the listed values, edit System Preferences > Setting programming
options.
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change KYZ Output Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the new threshold
values.
See “Program task” on page 122 and “Relay Options component” on page 405 for other
methods of setting the KYZ divisor and KYZ value.
Metercat
Change Passwords task

By adding a Change Passwords task to a function definition, the function will change the
specified meter passwords in the connected meter. See Chapter 9, “Managing meter
passwords” for more information on meter passwords.
You can use the function to change the Unrestricted and Billing passwords, the Read Only
password or all passwords in a connected meter.
Metercat includes the following pre-defined functions for passwords:
• Change Higher Passwords

• Change Read Only Password
Configuring the Change Passwords task

To configure the Change Passwords task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Change Higher Passwords or the
Change Read Only Password function or a function that includes the Change
Passwords task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Change Passwords task.
The Change Passwords Task Configuration dialog displays.
5. Check Unrestricted & Billing to change the connected meter’s Unrestricted and
Billing passwords to the current Billing and Unrestricted meter passwords in your
group’s assigned meter password set (see “Meter Access Level tab” on page 72 and
Chapter 9, “Managing meter passwords”).
6. Check Read Only to have the following options for the Read Only password:
• change the connected meter’s Read Only password to the current Read Only
password in your group’s assigned meter password set
• manually change the connected meter’s Read Only password by entering a
password at task run time
Note: If you manually enter a different password in the run time dialog, the Read Only
password in your group’s assigned password set is not changed. It is up to you to
update the Read Only password in your group’s assigned password set, if needed.
See “Changing a password set” on page 179 for details on changing a password
set.
Metercat
Note: If a meter has an ILC1 or ILN1 option board, the passwords in the option board are
updated to match those written to the meter using this task.
Caution: Metercat does not require that the first eight characters of each
access level password be unique when the Read Only
password is changed using this task. However, Elster strongly
recommends that the first eight characters of each password
level be unique from the other passwords (see “Password
encryption in the ANSI C12.19 meter” on page 173 for a more
detailed explanation of password encryption).
7. Click OK.
Changing the Read Only password

Changing the Read Only password with this task at run time will not change the
corresponding Read Only password in your group’s assigned password set. That means
each time you execute this task and enter a value other than the displayed Read Only
password displayed in the run time dialog, you must manually enter the Read Only
password. However, by changing the Read Only password of your group’s assigned
password set, the Change Passwords run time dialog will display your group’s updated
Read Only password (that is, you only need to click OK to change the password in the
connected meter).
To change the Read Only password in a meter:
1. If you wish to update the Read Only password in your group’s assigned password
set:
a. If your group has privileges to management meter passwords (see “Privileges
tab” on page 67), from the Tools menu select Meter Passwords Management.
If your group does not have privileges, have your Metercat Administrator perform
the procedure.
b. Use the procedure described in “Changing a password set” on page 179 to
change the Read Only password in your group’s assigned password set.
c. Click OK to save your changes.
3. From the Function drop-list, select the Change Read Only Password function or
another function that contains the Change Passwords task.
— Or —
Passwords run time dialog.
The Change Passwords run time dialog displays the most recent Read Only
password in your group’s assigned password set.
Note: If you are changing the Read Only and the Billing and Unrestricted passwords, at
task execution time you will see the Change Passwords run time dialog for
entering the Read Only password. Billing and Unrestricted passwords do not have
a run time dialog because Metercat writes your group’s most recent password set
passwords directly to the meter.
Metercat
5. If you have updated the Read Only password in your group’s assigned password set
to the new password, click OK.
Otherwise, enter a string of up to 20 alphanumeric characters and click OK.
Caution: Remember to change your group’s assigned password set’s
Read Only password if you have manually entered it using the
run time dialog. Failure to update your group’s assigned
password set will result in meter communication failure at a
later time.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change Passwords Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the new Read Only
password. If the Billing and Unrestricted passwords were changed, the completion
report will indicate only that the task has succeeded or failed.
Changing the Billing and Unrestricted passwords

To change the Billing and Unrestricted passwords in a meter:
1. Edit your group’s assigned password set:

a. If your group has privileges to management meter passwords (see “Privileges
tab” on page 67), from the Tools menu select Meter Passwords Management.
If your group does not have privileges, have your Metercat Administrator perform
the action.
b. Use the procedure described in “Changing a password set” on page 179 to
change the Billing and Unrestricted passwords in your group’s assigned
password set.
c. Edit the Read Only password as needed.
d. Click OK to save your changes.
Metercat

3. From the Function drop-list, select the Change Higher Passwords function or
another function that contains the Change Passwords task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter.
If you are only changing the Billing and Unrestricted passwords, you will not see a
run time dialog at task execution. Metercat automatically writes your group’s most
recent assigned password set passwords to the connected meter.
If you are changing the Read Only and the Billing and Unrestricted passwords, at
task execution time you will see the Change Passwords run time dialog for entering
the Read Only password.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change Passwords Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the Read Only
password. If the Billing and Unrestricted passwords were changed, the completion
report will indicate only that the passwords were updated.
Metercat
Change Modem Init String task

By adding a Change Modem Init String task to a function definition, the function will change
the Modem Init String of the modem in the meter. See “Remote component” on page 413.
Configuring the Change Modem Init String task

To configure the Change Modem Init String task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Change Modem Init String
function or a function that includes the Change Modem Init String task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Change Modem Init String task.
The Change Modem Init String Task Configuration dialog displays.
5. Select the Port Number for the modem (Port 1 or Port 2).
6. Check Prompt for Override at Run Time to select a port number at task execution
time.
7. Enter the new Modem Initialization String of the modem (up to 32 ASCII characters).
8. Check Prompt for Override at Run Time to enter the string at task execution time.
9. Click OK.
10.Click OK to exit the Function Builder.
Changing a modem init string

To change a meter’s modem init string:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Change Modem Init
String task.
— Or —
Metercat
Modem Init String run time dialog.
4. If prompted, select the meter’s Port Number for the modem (Port 1 or Port 2).
5. If prompted, enter the new Modem Initialization String (up to 32 ASCII characters).
6. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change Modem Init String
modem init string value.
Change Out LAN Collector task

By adding a Change Out LAN Collector task to a function definition, the function will
unregister any REX meters registered to the ‘old’ meter/collector’s LAN ID and register them
to the ‘new’ meter/collector’s LAN ID.
Elster recommends that before the change out you do the following:
• Read the data from the old meter/collector prior to the change out - see “Reading a
meter” on page 300 for details
• Ensure the new meter/collector’s Remote component has been programmed
correctly (ITM3 and ILC1 are configured properly for a meter/collector - see “Remote
component” on page 413 for details).
Changing out a LAN collector

Note: You will need to define a function containing the Change Out LAN Collector task.
See “Building a function” on page 77 for details.
Caution: Read all data (including all collector/node data) from the
original LAN collector before switching it out with the new
collector. See “Reading a meter” on page 300 for details.
Metercat
Caution: Ensure the new collector’s Remote component has been

programmed correctly (ITM3 and ILC1 are configured properly
for a collector. See “Remote component” on page 413 for
details).
To exchange a LAN collector in the field:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Change Out LAN
Collector task.
— Or —
Out LAN Collector run time dialog.
4. Enter the Old LAN ID - the nameplate LAN ID (a 1 to 10 digit number to a maximum
of 2147483647) for the old meter/collector.
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change Out LAN Collector
LAN collector ID.
The new collector will initiate a node scan to register LAN meters with the same utility
ID.
Change Time task

By adding a Change Time task to a function definition, the function will set the meter’s time
to the time that is displayed by the computer (taking into account both computer and meter
time zones and DST (daylight saving time) settings.
Metercat
The DST time change settings will be appropriately set based on the time zone. For time
zones that do not use DST, the meter will be programmed with a DST change time but
would still require Special Dates component be configured for DST Start and DST End dates.
In situations where the time change would cross a midnight, 00:00, boundary, the time
change will occur at 02:00.
Configuring the Change Time task

2. Click Edit.
The Change Time Task Configuration dialog displays.
5. Select the Time Zone Entry Option - select one of the following:
• Do Not Change - select to prevent changes to Time Zone set in the meter
• No Default - select to force a selection from the drop list
• time zone - select the appropriate default time zone for the meters
6. Check Prompt for Override to allow selection of time zone at task execution time;
otherwise, the default time zone entered will be programmed into the meter.
7. Click OK.
Changing a meter’s time and time zone

To change the time in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Change Time task.
— Or —
Time Task run time dialog.
Metercat
4. Select the appropriate Time Zone from the drop list.

Note: If there are differences between the computer time and the meter time that would
result in the meter being set to a different date, the function will fail.
Note: If the selected time zone in the task is not present on the system when the task is
executed the task uses the time zone presently in use by the system to configure
the target meter.
Note: This task does not affect the meter’s DST Start and End date settings (see “Special
Dates component” on page 433).
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Change Time Completion Report
indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the new time values. The
task completion report will indicate the old and new DST adjusted time even though
the time zone may not use DST.
See “Program task” on page 122 for another method for setting the time zone.
Clear Battery Log task

By adding a Clear Battery Log task to a function definition, the function will clear the
number of power outages and cumulative power outage counters to zero.
The Clear Battery Log task clears the number of power outages counter and power outage
time (displayed on the Status view > Security tab, see “Status view” on page 267).
Clearing the meter’s battery log

To clear the battery log in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Clear Battery Log
task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies and validates the connected meter then clears
the battery log.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Clear Battery Log Completion
Metercat
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed).
Clear Data task

By adding a Clear Data task to a function definition, the function will clear:
• billing data (current and previous)

• interval data (pulses)
• interval data (instrumentation)
• event log
• event flags
• self reads
• data stored in any connected ILC1 (LAN controller) or ILN1 (LAN node) option boards -
A3 ALPHA meters only
Note: Programming and configuration information is unchanged.
Note: The execution of this task will not clear the Battery Log.
Clearing meter data

To clear data in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Clear Data task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Clear
Data Task run time dialog.
4. Click OK to confirm that you wish to clear all data and statuses in the connected
meter.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Clear Data Completion Report
indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the values cleared. If the
meter has an ILN1 or ILC1 option board, the data and statuses in the option board are
also cleared.
Metercat
Clear Event Flags task

By adding a Clear Event Flags task to a function definition, the function will clear all event,
warning, and error status flags. Events include power failure, time change, demand reset,
configuration, or program change.
The Clear Event Flags task clears events that are displayed on the Status view >
Conditions tab (see “Status view” on page 267). Event Log Data view remains unchanged.
To clear the event log, see “Clear Event Log task” on page 110.
Note: To clear event flags and event log, create a function containing both the Clear
Event Flags and Clear Event Log tasks.
Clearing event flags in a meter

To clear the event flags in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Clear Event Flags
task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and begins clearing the
event flags.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Clear Event Flags Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the values cleared.
Clear Event Log task

By adding a Clear Event Log task to a function definition, the function will clear all records
from the event log
The Clear Event Log task clears data displayed on the Event Log Data view (see “Event Log
Data view” on page 225) except the Event Log cleared event. To clear event flags, see
“Clear Event Flags task” on page 110.
Note: To clear event flags and event log, create a function containing both the Clear
Event Flags and Clear Event Log tasks.
Clearing event log in a meter

To clear the event log in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Clear Event Log
task.
Metercat
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and clears the event log.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Clear Event Log Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the values cleared.

By adding a Clear ICM Over-temperature Counters task to a function definition, the function
will clear the internal cellular modem (ICM) over-temperature counters:
• ICM Over-temperature Events (incremented every time the ICM radio is shut down to
prevent overheating)
• ICM Calls Aborted by Over-temperature (incremented every time the meter cannot
initiate an outgoing call because the ICM radio is shut down to prevent overheating)
These counters are displayed on the Status view > Conditions tab (see “Status view” on
page 267).
Clearing ICM over-temperature counters in a meter

Note: You will need to define a function containing the Clear ICM Over-temperature
Counters task. See “Building a function” on page 77 for details.
connection is closed.
To clear the counters in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Clear ICM Over-
temperature Counters task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and begins clearing the
counters.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Clear ICM Over-temperature
Counters Completion Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed)
and the values cleared.
Metercat
Clear PQM Data task

By adding a Clear PQM Data task to a function definition, the function will clear one or
more of the following:
• PQM log and PQM status (counter and timer)

• Sag log and Sag status (counter and timer)
See “Replace PQM task” on page 131 for information on replacing the PQM component
and clearing PQM and Sag logs and statuses and “Edit PQM Thresholds task” on page 118
for information on changing PQM test settings.
See “PQM/Sag Log Data view” on page 243 and “PQM/Sag Status view” on page 246 for
details on PQM and Sag information displayed.
Configuring the Clear PQM Data task

Note: You will need to define a function containing the Clear PQM Data task. See
To configure the Clear PQM Data task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the function that includes the Clear
PQM Data task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Clear PQM Data task.
The Clear PQM Data Task configuration dialog displays.
5. Check either or both Clear item (PQM or Sag) to clear corresponding log and status.
6. Click OK.
Clearing PQM data

To clear the PQM data in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Clear PQM Data
task.
— Or —
Metercat
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Clear
PQM Data run time dialog.
4. Check either or both Clear item (PQM or Sag) to clear corresponding log and status.
5. Click OK.
Note: If the Clear PQM Data task is executed during a sag event on one or more phases
or while a PQM test is currently failing, Metercat will clear the logs, counters and
timers. Immediately after the task has completed, the meter will update the logs,
counters, and timers to show the test failures.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Clear PQM Data Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the cleared values.
Note: If the connected meter is not configured for power quality monitoring (PQM), you
will see the following message, “PQM is not enabled in this meter.”
Configure Special Option Board task

By adding a Configure Special Option Board task to a function definition, the function will
configure the selected special option board component programmed in the meter.
Configuring a special option board

To configure a special option board in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Configure Special
Option Board task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Configure
Special Option Board Task run time dialog.
Metercat
4. Select the desired Special Option Board Component from the drop list that you
want program in the meter.
Note: The Special Option Board component must be defined to be available in the drop
list. See “Special Option Board component” on page 442 for details.
Note: When programming a meter with an ACB option board, you will be prompted for
overriding additional parameters.
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Configure Special Option Board
Completion Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the
option board configured.
Demand Reset task

By adding a Demand Reset task to a function definition, the function will perform a
demand reset of the connected meter. Refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual
(TM42-2190) and the A1800 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2410) for details on the
effects of a demand reset.
Resetting demand
To reset demand in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Demand Reset task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and begins resetting
demand.
Demand reset events are displayed in the Event Log Data view (see “Event Log Data
view” on page 225).
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Demand Reset Completion
Metercat
Diagnostic Read task

Minimum Password Level: Read Only
By adding a Diagnostic Read task to a function definition, the function will perform a
diagnostic read of the connected meter. The diagnostic read file will be stored as an MSR
file in the Metercat\Readings\Diagnostic folder (if Storage Mode is set to Append or
Replace). If Storage Mode is None, the reading data will be displayed in the selected
viewset but no reading file will be created.
Note: A diagnostic read cannot perform a demand reset, clear statuses, or adjust the
meter’s time.
Configuring the Diagnostic Read task

To configure the Diagnostic Read task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Diagnostic Read function or a
function that includes the Diagnostic Read task.
— Or —
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Diagnostic Read task.
The Diagnostic Read Task Configuration dialog displays.
Metercat
5. Select the Storage Mode:

• None - a stored reading file will not be generated; data will be displayed in the
selected viewset
• Append - a new stored reading file will be created with each read (no data is
overwritten)
• Replace - the new stored reading file will replace (that is, overwrite) the most
recently stored billing reading for the same meter
6. Select the Reading Filename ID, that is, the meter’s ID used to create the billing read
filename:
• Account: [default]
• Meter ID:
See “Setting site ID labels” on page 45 for details on configuring ID labels.
7. Select to read Interval Data (Pulses):
• None - no load profiling data will be read
• All - all load profiling data will be read
• Unread - load profiling data that is not marked as read will be read
• Unread with Update - load profiling data marked as unread will be read and the
unread marker will be updated to indicate the data that has been read
• Number of Days (specify a number from 1 to 999) - load profiling data for the
specified number of days will be read
8. Select to read Interval Data (Instrumentation):
• None - no instrumentation profiling data will be read
• All - all instrumentation profiling data will be read
Metercat
• Unread - instrumentation profiling data marked as unread will be read

• Unread with Update - instrumentation profiling data marked as unread will be
read and the unread marker will be updated to indicate the data that has been
read
• Number of Days (specify a number from 1 to 999) - instrumentation profiling data
for the specified number of days will be read
Note: The meter has separate unread markers for load profiling data and
instrumentation profiling data.
9. Select to read History Log:
• None - no history log data will be read
• All - all history log data will be read
10.Select to read Event Log:
• None - no event log data will be read
• All - all event log data will be read
11. Select to read PQM Logs:
• None - no PQM log or Sag log data will be read
• All - all PQM log and Sag log data will be read
Note: PQM and Sag statuses are always read.
12.Select to read Self Read Data:
• None - no self read data will be read
• All - all self read data will be read
13.Select to read Collector/Node Data:
Note: Only applies for A3 ALPHA meters with ILC1 or ILN1 option boards.
Status if the connected meter has an ILC1 Read Only, Billing or
(internal LAN controller) or an ILN1 Unrestricted
(internal LAN node) option board only
LAN status data will be read
All all LAN status and LAN read data will Unrestricted
be read
Note: If the ILN1 contains no data when the meter is read (that is, no data yet has been
stored in the option board or data has been recently cleared), the task will succeed
but a message will appear in the function completion report “Reading of Internal
LAN Node Current Billing data failed.”
14.Click OK.
See “Billing Read task” on page 88 for billing read details.
Performing a diagnostic read

See “Reading a meter” on page 300 for details on performing a diagnostic read.
Metercat
Edit PQM Thresholds task

Note: You will need to define a function containing the Edit PQM Thresholds task. See
By adding an Edit PQM Thresholds task to a function definition, the function will change the
PQM settings for the PQM tests of the connected meter. You can also enable the following
actions:
• clear PQM and Sag logs and statuses during task execution (see “Clear PQM Data
task” on page 112 for details)
• turn PQM On (see “Turn PQM ON/OFF task” on page 152 for details)
Note: This task does not change the PQM Set that is programmed in the meter. It only
changes the test settings for the programmed PQM Set.
Refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2190) and the A1800 ALPHA Meter
Technical Manual (TM42-2410) for details on power quality monitoring (PQM).
Configuring the Edit PQM Thresholds task

To configure the Edit PQM Thresholds task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Edit PQM Thresholds function or a
function that includes the Edit PQM Thresholds task.
— Or —
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Edit PQM Thresholds task.
The Edit PQM Thresholds configuration dialog displays.
5. Check Clear PQM and Sag Logs and Statuses if you wish to clear them during task
execution.
6. Click OK.
Changing PQM thresholds

To change the PQM thresholds in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Edit PQM
Thresholds task.
— Or —
Metercat

After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Edit PQM
Thresholds run time dialog.
The dialog displays the status of PQM metering in the connected meter (On or Off)
and the PQM Set that is programmed into the meter.
4. Check to turn PQM ON.
5. For each test in the PQM Set, set the thresholds and parameters as desired. See
“PQM Tests” on page 388 for details on the PQM tests and their settings.

By adding an Edit Service Test task to a function definition, the function will allow you to
view the service voltage test and service current test parameters in a meter, edit these
parameters, and write them back to the meter.
Changing service test parameters

To change the service test parameters in a meter:

Metercat
2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Edit Service Test
task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and, if the service is locked,
displays the Edit Service Test run time dialog.
Note: Changes can only be made to the parameters for the currently locked service on
the meter.
Note: Service tests cannot be performed on meters that are not locked to a service.
4. Set the appropriate Service Voltage Test Parameters:

a. Service Test Mode - select the method the meter will use to lock service:
• Smart Auto Lock - automatically locks the service found; if no valid service is
found, the last locked service is kept
• Manual - a technician must press the RESET button to manually accept the
service found
• None - turns service test off
b. Rotation Test - select the rotation tests the meter performs:
• Both - service test validates either phase rotation
• ABC only - service test validates ABC phase rotation only
• CBA only - service test validates CBA phase rotation only
Note: If an incorrect rotation is detected, an error message will be displayed on the
meter’s LCD. See the appropriate meter technical manual for details.
c. Phase Indicator Threshold - enter the meter’s current threshold as a percentage
of the nominal (range of 0.00 to 100.00).
Metercat
Note: The Phase Indicator Threshold is also used in the Voltage Sag Test of PQM (see
“Voltage Sag Test” on page 389).
d. Service Voltage Tolerance - select the meter’s current tolerance settings as a
percentage of the nominal.
• Minimum - range of 0.00 to 100.00
• Maximum - range of 100.00 to 199.99
5. Check to Run Current Test After Powerup Voltage Test to enable the meter to run a
current test after powerup voltage test (enabled/disabled).
6. Set the Service Current Test Parameters (also displays the detected service, for
example, 3 El. 3 phase, ABC rotation):
Note: Metercat automatically rounds the values entered for thresholds according to the
meter’s storage format limitations. When displayed in the viewset, the corrected
(that is, rounded) values will be seen.
Note: The current test thresholds are also used in PQM testing for Reverse Power Test
(see “4. Reverse Power Test & PF” on page 393) and Low Current Test (see “5. Low
Current Test” on page 394).
a. Zero Current - enter value in range 0.00% to 39.99%
b. Over Current - enter value in range 100.10% to 199.95%
c. Low Current - for each A phase, B phase, C phase - enter value in range 0.00% to
39.99%
d. Min Lagging PF - for each A phase, B phase, C phase - enter value in range 0.00
to 1.00
e. Min Leading PF - for each A phase, B phase, C phase - enter value in range 0.00
to 1.00
f. Conditions that Trigger Warnings - check which individual phases will trigger a
warning for the specified thresholds:
• Zero Current - for each A phase, B phase, C phase
• Low Current - for each A phase, B phase, C phase
• Over Current - for each A phase, B phase, C phase
• Reverse power (Reverse Energy Flow) - for each A phase, B phase, C phase
• Power Factor - for each A phase, B phase, C phase
Note: See the appropriate meter technical manual for details on warning codes.
7. If the service to the meter is not locked, the Edit Service Test run time dialog displays
allowing you to attempt to lock the service.
8. Select Smart Auto Lock or Manual and click OK to attempt to lock service.
9. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Edit Service Test Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the new service test
Metercat
values.
Program task
By adding a Program task to a function definition, the function will program the connected
meter with the specified parameters.
Caution: You should not define a function containing two Program

tasks.
Successfully programming a meter accomplishes the following tasks:
• downloads the specified program

• downloads new passwords
• resets previously calculated data to zero
• clears previous status information
• resets the programming date in the meter to the current date (not applicable for
demand only meters)
• clears data stored in any connected ILN1 (LAN node) option board - A3 ALPHA meters
only
Note: The Program task does not clear data stored in any connected ILC1 (LAN controller)
option board.
Configuring the Program task

To configure the Program task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Program function or a function
that includes the Program task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Program task.
The Program Task Configuration dialog displays.
Metercat
The following table describes the parameters found on the configuration dialog.
5. Select the Program to use to configure the connected meter:

• <No Default> with Prompt for Override at Run Time - default; at task run time
you will be prompted to select a program for configuring the meter
• select a Program ID (as a default) from the list (with or without Prompt for
Override at Run Time) - the selected program will be used to configure the
connected meter (with prompt, you can specify a different program at run time)
example, A3T - 002 - TOU, LP Program.
6. Select the ID 1 setting - (default is Account:) - specify which ID to program in the
meter:
• <No Default> with Prompt - default; at run time you will be prompted to enter an
ID
• <Factory Serial Num> (no prompt) - the connected meter’s factory serial number
will be used as the ID; cannot be changed at task execution
• <Utility Serial Num> (no prompt) - the utility’s serial number will be used as the
ID; cannot be changed at task execution
• Enter a value (as default) (with or without Prompt) - the entered value will be
programmed into the meter (with prompt, you can enter a different value at run
time)
Note: You can enter up to 20 alphanumeric and special characters.
Metercat
See “Displaying Extended Display Items” on page 369 for details on displaying the ID
on the LCD.
7. Select the ID 2 setting - (default is Meter ID:) - specify which ID to program in the
meter:
• <No Default> with Prompt - at run time you will be prompted to enter an ID
• <Factory Serial Num> (no prompt) - default; the connected meter’s factory serial
number will be used as the ID; cannot be changed at task execution
• <Utility Serial Num> (no prompt) - the utility’s serial number will be used as the
ID; cannot be changed at task execution
• Enter a value (as default) (with or without Prompt) - the entered value will be
programmed into the meter (with prompt, you can enter a different value at run
time)
• <Use Mask> (with Prompt) - you will be prompted to enter the appropriate
masked value during task execution; see “Setting site ID labels” on page 45 for
details.
Note: You can use up to 20 alphanumeric and special characters unless Use Mask is
specified and the mask specifies D which restricts editable values to numeric
characters only.
Note: If you select Use Mask, <Factory Serial Num> and <Utility Serial Num> will not
be available at task execution.
See “Displaying Extended Display Items” on page 369 for details on displaying the ID
on the LCD.
8. Select the Time Zone to program in the meter.
Note: Only available for meters configured for TOU.
• <System Setting> (with or without Prompt) - default; the time zone of the
Metercat computer will be programmed into the connected meter (with prompt,
you can select a different time zone at run time)
• Select a Time Zone from the drop list (with or without Prompt) - the specified time
zone will be programmed into the connected meter (with prompt, you can select
a different time zone at run time)
Note: The time zones listed are in standard Microsoft® operating system format (for
example, (GMT -05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada), (GMT -06:00) Central Time (US
& Canada) and (GMT -07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)).
Note: This setting does not affect the meter’s Daylight Saving Time settings.
Note: The DST time change settings will be appropriately set based on the time zone. For
time zones that do not use DST, the meter will be programmed with a DST change
time but would still require Special Dates component be configured for DST Start
and End dates. In situations where the time change would cross a midnight, 00:00,
boundary, the time change will occur at 02:00. The task completion report will
indicate the old and new DST adjusted time even though the time zone may not
use DST.
Also see “Change Time task” on page 106.
9. Select the Metering Application (where energy is being measured in relation to
either current or voltage transformers):
• <Program Value> (with or without Prompt) - default; the setting in the meter
program will be programmed into the connected meter (with prompt, you can
override at run time)
• select Primary or Secondary (with or without Prompt) - the selected setting will be
programmed into the connected meter (with prompt, you can override at run time)
Also see “Constants component” on page 358.
10.Enter the current transformer (CT) ratio and voltage transformer (VT) ratio for
current and voltage transformers:
• <Program Value> (with or without Prompt) - default; the setting in the meter
program will be used (with prompt, you can enter a different value at run time)
Metercat
• Enter a value in the range of 1.00 to 9999.99 in the respective boxes to be

programmed into the connected meter (with Prompt, you can enter a different
value at run time).
Note: CT * VT displays the product of CT and VT (that is transformer factor).
Also see “Constants component” on page 358.
11. Enter the Register Multiplier (register multiplier)) to be used to convert values on the
meter’s display to engineering units:
• <Program Value> [default] the setting specified in the meter program will be
programmed into the connected meter (with Prompt you can enter a different
value at run time).
• Select a value from the drop list (in the range of 0.1 to 1000000.0 with one only
digit after the decimal) (with Prompt you can enter a different value at run time).
Note: If you are configured to use Adjusted Kh in your System Preferences >
Programming Options, Metercat will require you to enter the Adjusted Kh
regardless of your settings for this parameter. See “Overriding program values
using the Program task” on page 295 for details on setting Adjusted Kh.
See “Constants component” on page 358.
12.Select the Overload value (kilo units) - specify the overload:
value at run time).
• Enter the value (in the range of 0.0000 to 999999.9999) to be programmed into
the connected meter (with Prompt, you can enter a different value at run time).
See “Demand component” on page 362.
Overload task, or Change Demand Thresholds task. For
example, if the Register Multiplier is set to 1000000.0 and you
attempt to change the Overload value to 999999.9999; the
attempt will fail with the error: The calculated Overload (kilo
units): value has too many significant digits.
13.Enter or select the KYZ Output value for pulses:
value at run time).
Note: The value used is dependent on your KYZ source settings in System Preferences.
See “Setting programming options” on page 49 for details.
• KYZ Divisor - select a value in the range of 1 to 999 (with or without Prompt); the
selected setting will be programmed into the connected meter (with Prompt, you
can enter a different value at run time).
• If KYZ Value is enabled in your System Preferences and the connected A3 ALPHA
meter is firmware 3.01 or higher or an A1800 ALPHA meter, you will see KYZ
Value - select a value from the drop list or enter a value in the range of 0.000001
to 100.000000; the selected setting will be programmed into the connected meter
(with Prompt, you can enter a different value at run time)
Note: The selected KYZ Value cannot be less than the meter’s Factory Ke. expressed in
kilo units and within the range of 0.000001 to 100.000000.
Note: If you enter a number for the KYZ Value, the number will not be added to the
default drop list (see “Setting programming options” on page 49 for details).
Also see “Change KYZ Output task” on page 98 and “Configuring Relay Options” on
page 406 for additional information.
14.Specify the Service Test component to be programmed into the connected meter:
Metercat
• <Do Not Change> - do not change settings currently in the meter (with Prompt,
you can select a different component at run time)
• <Program Value> - default; use the component defined in the program (with
Prompt, you can select a different component at run time)
• Select a Service Test component from drop list - the selected component will be
used to configure the connected meter (with Prompt, you can select a different
component at run time)
Also see “Edit Service Test task” on page 119, “Program task - Component options” on
page 296 and “Service Test component” on page 428.
15.Specify the PQM component to be programmed into the connected meter:
• <Do Not Change> [default] - do not change settings currently in the meter (with
Prompt, you can select a different component at run time).
• <No Default> (with Prompt) - at task run time you will be prompted to specify a
setting.
• <Program Value> - if the program contains a PQM component, use the
component defined in the program (with Prompt, you can select a different setting
at run time).
• Select a PQM component from drop list; the selected component will be used to
configure the connected meter (with Prompt, you can select a different setting at
run time).
Also see “Replace PQM task” on page 131, “Program task - Component options” on
page 296 and “PQM component” on page 386.
16.Specific the Instrumentation Profiling component to be programmed into the
connected meter:
• <Disable> - disable instrumentation profiling in the meter (with Prompt, you can
select a different setting at run time).
• <Program Value> [default] - if the program contains an Instrumentation Profiling
component, use the component defined in the program (with Prompt, you can
• Select an Instrumentation Profile component; the selected component will be
setting at run time).
Also see “Instrumentation Profiling Config component” on page 378 and “Program
task - Component options” on page 296.
17. Specific the Remote component to be programmed into the connected meter:
• <Disable> - disable remote communications in the meter (with Prompt, you can
• <Do Not Change> - do not change remote communication settings currently in
the meter (with Prompt, you can select a different setting at run time).
• <No Default> (with Prompt) - at task run time you will be prompted to specify a
setting.
• <Program Value> [default] - if the program contains a remote component, use
the component defined in the program (with Prompt, you can select a different
• Select a Remote component from the drop list; the selected component will be
Also see “Replace Remote task” on page 139, “Program task - Component options”
on page 296 and “Remote component” on page 413.
18.Check to have the Device ID for Port 1 Always Master - port 1 of the connected meter
is the master when using a modem sharing unit [checked by default]
19.Check to have the Device ID for Port 2 Always Master - port 2 of the connected
meter is the master when using a modem sharing unit [checked by default]
20.Click OK.
Metercat

Note: When programming a meter with an ACB option board, you will be prompted for
overriding additional parameters.
Programming a meter
See “Programming a meter” on page 291 for details on programming a meter.
Read ICM Custom SIDs task

By adding a Read ICM Custom SIDs task to a function definition, the function will read the
internal cellular modem (ICM) custom SIDs from the meter and store them in a specified
file.
At function execution, Metercat displays a run time override dialog that allows you to
specify a new or different Custom SID file which details the following information:
• SIDs:
• each SID value must be between 0-32767
• number of SID entries in custom SID file (0-1021)
• Custom SIDs ID as 2 ASCII characters (optional)
• Network Plan ID as 2 ASCII characters (optional)
connection is closed.
Reading ICM custom SIDs

To read the custom SIDs in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Read ICM Custom
SIDs task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Read ICM
Custom SIDs Task run time dialog.
Metercat
4. Enter the complete file path and file name for the Custom SID File that will store the
Custom SID data read from the ICM:
• file drive and path defaults to the drive and path of the database files
(Metercat\Config)
• the file extension should be TXT
Note: If no file name is entered, the SID data that was read from the ICM is not stored in a
file.
5. Indicates the number of SIDs Loaded (that is, read) from the ICM.
6. Indicates the Custom SIDs ID (optional) - a 2-character identifier for the custom SIDs
file.
7. Indicates the Network Plan ID (optional) - a 2-character identifier for the ICM network
plan.
8. Lists the SIDs read from the ICM.
9. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Read ICM Custom SIDs
Completion Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed).
Register Edit task

By adding a Register Edit task to a function definition, the function will allow you to read
current billing data from a meter, edit the data, and then write the data back to the original
meter.
After the task has executed, the Data Edit flag is set (see “Security tab” on page 273) and
can only be cleared by re-programming the meter.
The Register Edit task allows you to edit only the following values:
• ID 1 and ID 2 (default values–Account and Meter ID)

Note: The Register Multiplier is not applied to the displayed billing data.
• for Demand-only meters:
• Energy (metered quantity)
• Maximum Demand
Metercat
• Cumulative Demand
• for TOU meters:
• Energy (metered quantity – Rate A, B, C, and D)
• Maximum Demand (Rate A, B, C, and D)
• Cumulative Demand (Rate A, B, C, D, and Total)
Note: For TOU meters, when Total Cumulative Demand is written to the meter, it must be
equal or larger than the maximum of the Cumulative Demand for each Rate.
Note: You cannot edit the date of maximum demand, coincident demand values, and
average power factor values.
Editing register data

To change the data in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Register Edit task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Register
Edit run time dialog for either a Demand meter or a TOU meter.
Metercat
4. Edit Account (the meter’s ID 1) as needed.

5. Edit Meter ID (the meter’s ID 2) as needed.
Note: Changes to ID 2 in a meter displaying the Meter ID: Last 9 Characters display
item will result in ST32 being updated and reported in the History Log. See
“Displaying Last Nine Characters of Meter ID” on page 371 for details.
Caution: Masked ID is not used. See “Program task” on page 122 and
“Setting site ID labels” on page 45 for details on using masked
ID.
6. For Demand-only meters:
a. Edit the meter’s Energy value for the current billing period.
b. Edit the meter’s Maximum Demand value.
c. Edit the meter’s Cumulative Demand value.
7. For TOU meters:
a. Edit the meter’s Energy values for Rates A-D.
b. Edit the meter’s Maximum Demand values for Rates A-D.
c. Edit the meter’s Cumulative Demand values for Rates A-D.
8. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Register Edit Completion Report
indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the new data values.
Metercat
Replace PQM task

By adding a Replace PQM task to a function definition, the function will update the PQM
component of the meter.
Configuring the Replace PQM task

Note: You will need to define a function containing the Replace PQM task. See “Building a
function” on page 77 for details.
To configure the Replace PQM task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the function that includes the Replace
PQM task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Replace PQM task.
The Replace PQM task configuration dialog displays.
5. If you check to Clear PQM and Sag Log and Statuses, the execution of the function
will clear PQM and sag logs, counters, and timers.
Note: This setting cannot be changed during function run time.
6. Click OK.
See “Clear PQM Data task” on page 112 for information on clearing the PQM log and
status or the Sag log and status without changing the PQM component.
See “PQM component” on page 386 for additional information.
Replacing a PQM component

To replace the PQM component in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Replace PQM task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter determines the meter type,
Metercat displays the Replace PQM run time dialog.
Metercat
4. Select the appropriate PQM Component from the drop list.

Note: The clearing of PQM and Sag logs and statuses is dependent on the configuration
settings of the Replace PQM task. This setting cannot be changed during task run
time. See “Configuring the Replace PQM task” on page 131 for details.
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Replace PQM Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the new PQM
component and the status of the PQM and Sag logs and statuses (if cleared).
Replace Program task

Caution: Prior to performing a Replace Program task, Elster

recommends that you perform a Billing Read task to preserve
billing data.
By adding a Replace Program task to a function definition, the function will update the
program in the connected meter. The components and their parameters as defined in the
program will be programmed into the meter without allowing you to override during
program execution.
The following settings will not be changed during replacement:
• metered quantities
• constants
• service test
• password set
• meter ID #1 and #2
• time zone
• date
Note: The time in the meter will be synchronized with the time of the computer
depending on your Time Adjustment Criteria settings in System Preferences. See
“Setting time difference options” on page 51 for details.
Metercat
Caution: If the replaced program contains any Log component

configuration changes the meter’s logs, self reads and profile
data (both pulse and instrumentation) will be cleared.
Caution: If the replaced program contains any profile data (both pulse
and instrumentation) configuration changes the meter’s profile
data will be cleared).
Configuring the Replace Program task

Note: You will need to define a function containing the Replace Program task. See
To configure the Replace Program task:
Program task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Replace Program task.
The Replace Program task configuration dialog displays.
5. Checking Prompt or Prompt for Override at Run Time allows you to change the
parameters of the task at run time.
6. Select the Effective Date that the old program will be updated.
Note: If you select a previous date or current date (based on the meter’s date and time),
the updated program will become effective immediately.
7. Checking Perform a Self Read will cause the meter to perform a self read when:
• if the Effective Date is a previous or current date, the self read is performed when
the task is executed
• if the Effective Date is in the future, the self read is performed on that future date
when the Display, Demand, and Rates and Special Dates components are
replaced
Note: If the Metering Display component is pending and a power failure occurs during
the pending tables switch a self read/demand reset may not occur as expected.
Therefore Elster recommends unchecking Perform a Self Read/Perform a Demand
Reset if a Metering Display component will be changed by executing this task.
8. Checking Perform a Demand Reset will cause the meter to perform a demand reset
when:
• if the Effective Date is a previous or current date, the demand reset is performed
when the task is executed
• if the Effective Date is in the future, the demand reset is performed on that future
date when the Display, Demand, and Rates and Special Dates components are
Metercat
replaced
9. Click OK.
Immediate
Can be replaced Cannot be replaced
Demand - with exceptions and Constants1
restrictions: Demand:
• Exponential Response setting1 • Demand Overload
• Interval/Subinterval settings1 Metering:
• Cumulative Demand type1 • Quantities1
Logs - clears the following: Remote
• log data Relay Options:
• self read data • KYZ Output (KYZ divisor/value)
• interval data PQM
Special Option Board
Interval Data Config2 - clears interval
Service Test
data
Instrumentation Profiling2 - clears
interval data
Metering
• Display - all replaced
• Interval Data Config
Rates
Relay Options - except KYZ divisor/value
Special Dates
Special Features
Properties - Custom Display strings
All Pending components reset to No

data available:
• Demand
• Metering
• Rates
• Special Dates
1. If the value in the replacing component is different from the value in the original
component, the task will fail.
2. If either the Interval Data Config or the Instrumentation Profiling components of the
replacing program are different from those in the existing program, all of the meter’s
interval data (both pulse and instrumentation) are cleared during function execution.
Metercat
Update program at a future date

Can be replaced Cannot be replaced
Pending components Current components
Pending Demand Constants
Pending Rates Demand
Pending Special Dates Logs
Metering Instrumentation Profiling Config
• Pending Display - all except the Metering
following: • Quantities
• Display Labels (Annunciators) • Interval Data Configuration
• Display warnings if reverser power PQM
flow Rates
• lock warning on display settings • Switch Times
• Day Types
Relay Options
Remote
Service Test
Special Dates
Special Features
Special Option Board
Replacing a program
To replace the program in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Replace Program
task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Replace
Program run time dialog.
4. If Prompt (for override) is enabled, select the Program that will replace the existing
program.
Metercat
5. If Prompt (for override) is enabled, select the Effective Date that the old program will
be replaced with the selected program.
6. If Prompt (for override), check Perform a Self Read to cause the meter to perform a
self read on the effective date.
7. If Prompt (for override), check Perform a Demand Reset to cause the meter to
perform a demand reset on the effective date.
8. Click OK.
If Metercat detects a change between the meter’s program and the replacing
program’s settings, Metercat displays a dialog warning you that logs, self reads and
load profile (both pulse and instrumentation) data will be cleared.
9. Click OK to continue with replacing the program.
— Or —
Click Cancel to cancel the task.
Note: If you are unsure about why you are seeing this warning dialog, please contact
Elster Customer Support.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Replace Program Completion
After executing the task and if the Effective Date is in the future, a reading of the meter will
show the changed information in the following ‘Pending’ views:
• “Demand Pending view” on page 217

• “Display Pending view” on page 224
• “Day Types Pending view” on page 214
• “Special Dates Pending view” on page 263
• “Switch Times Pending view” on page 282
Replace Rates and Dates task

By adding a Replace Rates and Dates task to a function definition, the function will update
either the Rates component, the Special Dates component, or both, without affecting any
other component in the meter program. The updating of the rates, special dates, or both,
can occur immediately or be programmed to occur at a future date.
See “Day Types component” on page 361, “Switch Times component” on page 443, and
“Special Dates component” on page 433 for additional information.
Configuring the Replace Rates and Dates task

To configure the Replace Rates and Dates task:
Rates and Dates task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Replace Rates and Dates task.
The Replace Rates and Dates task configuration dialog displays.
Metercat
5. Checking Allow Override allows you to change the parameters of the task at run
time.
Note: This option is disabled in the Replace Rates and Dates run time dialog.
6. Select the Effective Date that the old rates or special dates components will be
updated with the new rates or special dates components.
Note: If you select a previous date or the current date, the updated rates or special dates
component will become effective immediately.
7. From the drop down list, select the new Rates component that you want to replace
the old Rates component.
Note: If you select <Do Not Change>, the Replace Rates and Dates function will not
modify the current Rates component.
8. From the drop down list, select the new Special Dates component that you want to
replace the old Special Dates component.
modify the current Special Dates component.
Note: If both the Rates and Special Dates are both set to <Do Not Change>, you must
check Allow Override or select a component for either Rates or Special Dates.
Note: If the new Special Dates component has a different Enforce maximum days
between demand resets value than the old Special Dates component, the value is
not updated if the effective date is in the future. You can only change the Enforce
maximum days between demand resets value if the updating is effective
immediately.
9. Checking Perform a Self Read will cause the meter to perform a self read when the
Replace Rates and Dates task is executed.
10.Checking Perform a Demand Reset will cause the meter to perform a demand reset
when the Replace Rates and Dates task is executed.
11. Click OK.
Metercat
Replacing the Rates and Special Dates components

To replace either the rates or special dates components in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Replace Rates and
Dates task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Replace
Rates and Dates run time dialog.
4. If Allow Override is enabled, select the Effective Date that the old rates or special
dates will be updated with the new rates or special dates.
Note: If you select a previous date or the current date, the updated rates or special dates
component will become effective immediately.
5. If Allow Override is enabled, select the new Rates component that you want to
replace the old Rates component.
modify the current Rates component. You must select to replace at least one or the
other component.
6. If Allow Override is enabled, select the new Special Dates component that you
want to replace the old Special Dates component.
modify the current Special Dates component. You must select to replace at least
one or the other component.
Metercat
Note: If the new Special Dates component has a different Enforce maximum days
between demand resets value than the current Special Dates component, the
value is not updated if the effective date is in the future. You can only change the
Enforce maximum days between demand resets value if the updating is effective
immediately.
7. Check Perform a Self Read to cause the meter to perform a self read.
8. Check Perform a Demand Reset to cause the meter to perform a demand reset.
Note: If both the Rates and Special Dates are both set to <Do Not Change>, the task will
fail.
9. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Replace Rates and Dates
Completion Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed).
After executing the task and if the Effective Date is in the future, a reading of the meter will
show the changed information in the following ‘Pending’ views:
• “Day Types Pending view” on page 214

• “Special Dates Pending view” on page 263
• “Switch Times Pending view” on page 282
Replace Remote task

By adding a Replace Remote task to a function definition, the function will replace the
remote component of a meter’s program without reprogramming the meter.
Note: If the connected meter uses an ILC1 option board and a Replace Remote task is
executed, the bit rate of the option board will be changed to that specified for the
modem’s bit rate. The task completion report will indicate whether the option
board bit rate was changed.
Replacing the Remote component

To replace the Remote component in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the Change Remote Definition function or a
function that includes the Replace Remote task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and determines the meter
type. Metercat displays the Replace Remote Task Run Time Overrides dialog.
Metercat
4. For the Remote component, select one of the following:

• Remote component from the drop list
• <Disable> to disable the Remote component
5. For Device ID Port 1, enter Device ID to be used for the meter on a modem sharing
unit (1 to 254).
See “Program task” on page 122 for details on programming the Device ID in the
meter.
6. For Device ID Port 2, enter Device ID to be used for the meter on a modem sharing
unit (1 to 254).
See “Program task” on page 122 for details on programming the Device ID in the
meter.
7. For the Call Origination Date & Time Port 1, select the Date and Time for the call.
Note: This item is enabled based on the Billing Call Schedule setting defined in the
selected Remote component.
8. For the Call Origination Date & Time Port 2, select the Date and Time for the call.
Note: This item is enabled based on the Billing Call Schedule setting defined in the
selected Remote component.
9. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Replace Remote Completion
See “Remote component” on page 413 for additional information.
REX Change Password task

Minimum Password Level: Optical
Supported Meters: REX
Note: This task may be performed using the optical port connection only.
By adding a REX Change Password task to a function definition, the function will change
the password set in the connected REX meter.
Refer to the REX Meter Technical Manual (a PDF of the document is located on the Metercat
Installation CD in the \Documentation\REX folder) for additional information.
Metercat
Changing a REX meter’s password set

Note: You will need to define a function containing the REX Change Password task. See
To change the password set in a REX meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the REX Change
Password task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the REX
Change Password run time dialog.
4. Select the appropriate Password Set from the drop list.

5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the REX Change Password
password set.
REX Clear Data task

By adding a REX Clear Data task to a function definition, the function will clear the following
data from the connected REX meter:
• billing data (current and previous)

• rates and rate overrides
• calendar
• node scan responses
• LAN registration and status information
• one way node data
• profile data (pulses)
• radio packet statistics
• registered memory
Metercat
• kWh DEL and kWh REC lines on the option header

• reset demand threshold relay (if present)
• close disconnect switch (if present)
Clearing a REX meter’s data

Note: You will need to define a function containing the REX Clear Data task. See “Building
a function” on page 77 for details.
To clear the data in a REX meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the REX Clear Data task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the REX Clear
Data run time dialog.
Note: This task also resets the demand threshold relay and closes the disconnect switch
(if present).
4. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the REX Clear Data Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the new time
values.
REX Connect Service task

Some Form 2S or 12S REX meters come equipped with an optional service control switch2.
The service control switch enables disconnection (open switch) and reconnection (closed
switch) of electrical service.
2. Specified at time of ordering.

Metercat
Since closing the service control switch when load side voltage is present can result in equipment damage, personal
injury, or death, the meter will not allow the service control switch to close when load side voltage is present.
By adding a REX Connect Service task to a function definition, the function will close the
service control switch restoring electrical service.
Note: This task will execute only if the switch’s storage capacitor is fully charged and no
load side voltage is present.
Closing the service control switch on a REX meter

Note: You will need to define a function containing the REX Connect Service task. See
To connect the service (that is, close the service control switch) of a REX meter:
1. Establish a connection with the meter with the optical probe as described in
“Establishing communications with a meter” on page 169.
2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the REX Connect
Service task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the REX Task
Warning run time dialog.
4. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the REX Connect Completion Report
indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the state of the service
control switch.
The REX meter LCD provides the following status codes for the service control switch:
• F10000: No load side voltage when switch is closed
• F00100: Load side voltage present when switch is open
• F00001: Service control switch open
Refer to the REX Meter with Service Control Switch product guide (PG42-1007) for detailed
information.
Metercat
REX Demand Reset task

By adding a REX Demand Reset task to a function definition, the function will:
• set the maximum demand to zero

• clear the status flag indicating the demand threshold was exceeded (if the flag had
been set)
• copy current billing data to the previous billing data area
• increment the demand reset counter
Resetting demand in a REX meter

Note: You will need to define a function containing the REX Demand Reset task. See
To reset demand in a REX meter:
2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the REX Demand Reset
task.
— Or —
When the function completes, Metercat displays the REX Demand Reset Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the event performed
(demand reset).
REX Disconnect Service task

Some Form 2S or 12S REX meters come equipped with an optional service control switch2.
The service control switch enables disconnection and reconnection of electrical service.
Additionally, the REX meter can be programmed to automatically disconnect power when
demand exceeds a programmed threshold and to restore power a set number of minutes
after the end of the demand interval.
By adding a REX Disconnect Service task to a function definition, the function will open the
service control switch disconnecting electrical service.
Note: This task will execute only if the switch’s storage capacitor is fully charged.
Metercat
Opening the service control switch in a REX meter

Note: You will need to define a function containing the REX Disconnect Service task. See
To disconnect the service (that is, open the service control switch) in a REX meter:
2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the REX Disconnect
Service task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the REX Task
Warning run time dialog.
4. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the REX Disconnect Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the state of the
service control switch.
The REX meter LCD provides the following status codes for the service control switch:
• F10000: No load side voltage when switch is closed
• F00100: Load side voltage present when switch is open
• F00001: Service control switch open
Refer to the REX Meter with Service Control Switch product guide (PG42-1007) for detailed
information.
REX Meter Identification Info task

By adding a REX Meter Identification Info task to a function definition, the function will read
the connected REX meter to obtain and then create an HTML report of meter information.
Reading REX meter ID information

Metercat
To read the identification information of a REX meter:
2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the REX Meter
Identification Info task.
— Or —
When the function completes, Metercat displays the REX Meter Identification Info
Completion Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the
information read from the meter.
The REX Meter Identification Info Completion Report details the following information.
Item Description
LAN ID The meter’s unique identifier (appears on the meter’s
nameplate).
LAN Utility ID The utility’s unique identifier (appear on the meter’s
nameplate). This identifier ensures that if there are two
different utilities with meters in the same area, the meters
will only talk to those meters with the same utility ID. See
“EnergyAxis Option tab” on page 277 for information on
the LAN Collector.
Factory Serial Number The meter’s manufacturer’s serial number set at the
factory.
Customer Serial Number The serial number specified by the customer at order
entry for the meter (may be the same number as the Utility
Serial Number of the meter).
Firmware Version The firmware version/revision of the meter.
Note: Refer to this number when seeking technical
assistance with your meter.
Firmware Revision The firmware version/revision of the meter.
Firmware SSpec Additional manufacturer information on the REX meter.
Manufacturer Order A unique number assigned by the manufacturer
Number (frequently used for special custom orders).
Manufacturer Style Number Style number of meter as originally built by manufacturer.
Meter Options Indicates whether the following if enabled or disabled:
• Demand
• TOU
• Profile
• Voltage Monitoring
• Bidirectional
• Outage Reporting
Meter Time Time in the meter (in 12-hour clock format with AM or PM)
Metercat
Item Description
Metered Quantity The REX meter is factory configured to measure one of the
following quantities:
• kWh delivered
• kWh received
• kWh sum (kWh delivered + kWh received)
• kWh net (kWh delivered - kWh received)
Demand Interval The REX meter is factory configured to use one of the
following demand intervals:
• 15 minutes
• 30 minutes
• 60 minutes
Load Profiling Interval The REX meter is factory configured to use one of the
following profile intervals:
• 15 minutes
• 30 minutes
• 60 minutes
Load Profiling Divisor The value used to scale REX meter’s load profiling (Kh
pulses) of the metered quantity.
Load Side Voltage Present Indicates the status of voltage on the load side (that is,
(Yes/No) power is flowing through the meter).
Demand Reset Scheduled Indicates whether the meter has been commanded to
(Yes/No) perform a demand reset at midnight (usually through
remote communications).
Disconnect Relay Open Indicates the status of the disconnect switch (if present). If
(Yes/No) Yes, the service has been turned off (that is, power is not
flowing through the meter).
Program ID The Program identification number for the Metercat
program that provided the TOU schedule for the
connected REX meter. Refer to the EnergyAxis Metering
Automation Server (MAS) documentation for more
information on TOU schedules and REX meters.
Example REX Meter ID Info Completion Report
"REX ID Info" Completion Report

User: Programmer
System Time: 8/29/2006 4:17:11 PM
System Time Zone: (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Account: 06086635
Meter ID: 06086635
REX Meter Identification Info Task
Task succeeded.
Lan ID: 299851

Metercat
Lan Utility ID: 249

Factory Serial Number: 06086635
Customer Serial Number: 06086635
Firmware Version: 3
Firmware Revision: 5
Firmware SSPEC: 238.0
Mfg Order Number: 00100865
Mfg Style Number: ZCC39000000
Demand: ENABLED
TOU: ENABLED
Profile: ENABLED
Voltage Monitoring: ENABLED
Bidirectional: ENABLED
Outage Reporting: ENABLED
Meter Time: 4:18:06 PM
Metered Quantity: kWh-Sum
Demand Interval: 15 minutes
Load Profiling Interval: 60 minutes
Load Profiling Divisor: 1
Load Side Voltage Present: No
Demand Reset Scheduled: No
Disconnect Relay Open: No
PROGRAM ID: 0
Test ICM task

Note: This task can only be performed using the optical port connection and requires that
the meter have the internal cellular modem installed.
By adding a Test ICM task to a function definition, the function will cause the meter’s
internal cellular modem (ICM) to perform a v.54 loopback test measuring the BER (bit error
rate). The modem called by the ICM to perform the BER test must be configured with the
following AT commands in the modem init string:
&T4\N
Note: This task can only be executed using the optical probe connection. The test is
conducted through the meter's internal cellular modem with a loopback modem
and the results are reported back through the optical connection.
Configuring the Test ICM task

To configure the Test ICM task:
1. From the Function Management dialog, select the Test ICM function or a function that
includes the Test ICM task.
2. Click Edit.
3. Select the Test ICM task.
Metercat
The Test ICM Task Configuration dialog displays.
5. BER Test Connect Timeout (secs) - a value in the range of 1 to 255 seconds.
6. BER Test Phone Number - telephone number of the modem to be called by the ICM to
perform test.
7. BER Test Duration (secs) - a value in the range 1 to 255 seconds.
8. BER Test Bit Rate (bps) - select one of the following: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600.
9. BER Test Threshold (errors per million bits) - a value in the range 0 to 65535.
10.RSSI Test Threshold (dBm) - a value in the range –114 to 10.
11. Prompt for Override at Run Time - check to permit entry of the associated value at
task execution time.
Testing an ICM
Note: This task can only be executed using the optical probe connection. The test is
conducted through the meter's internal cellular modem with a loopback modem
and the results are reported back through the optical connection.
The modem called by the ICM to perform the BER test must be configured with the
following AT commands in the modem init string:
&T4\N

2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Test ICM task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the run time
override dialog that allows you to configure ICM test settings (if prompt for overrides
is checked).
Metercat
4. If prompt is checked, BER Test Connect Timeout (secs) - a value in the range of 1 to
255 seconds.
5. If prompt is checked, BER Test Phone Number - telephone number of the modem to
be called by the ICM to perform test.
6. If prompt is checked, BER Test Duration (secs) - a value in the range 1 to 255 seconds.
7. If prompt is checked, BER Test Bit Rate (bps) - select one of the following: 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600.
8. If prompt is checked, BER Test Threshold (errors per million bits) - a value in the range
0 to 65535.
9. If prompt is checked, RSSI Test Threshold (dBm) - a value in the range –114 to 10.
10.Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Test ICM Completion Report
indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed).
Note: The ICM Test passed if:
the BER measured during test < BER Test Threshold
and
the RSSI measured during test > RSSI Test Threshold.
Test Mode Off task

By adding a Test Mode Off task to a function definition, the function will force the connected
meter to exit test mode and return to normal mode.
Note: This function is disabled for Direct, TCP/IP and Modem connections.
Metercat
Exiting Test mode

To exit test mode in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the Turn OFF Test Mode function or the function
that includes the Test Mode Off task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and meter type. Metercat
forces the meter to exit test mode.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Turn OFF Test Mode Completion
Test Mode On task

By adding a Test Mode On task to a function definition, the function will force the connected
meter to enter test mode.
Note: The configurable parameters appear at run time (that is, task execution time).
Note: This function is disabled for Direct, TCP/IP and Modem connections. If it is included
as a task in a function (for example, a Billing Read task followed by a Test Mode On
task) executed by a disabled connection the function will not execute.
Entering Test mode

To enter test mode in a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the Turn ON Test Mode function or a function that
includes the Test Mode On task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and determines the meter
type. Metercat displays the Test Mode On run time dialog.
Metercat
4. Depending upon the type of meter, you will have the option to specify which
quantities will be measured by the test and whether the test should be Standard or
Fast.
Note: The pulse source options and energy per pulses at the LED for Demand (D), Time of
Use (T), Reactive (R) and Apparent (K) meters are dependent on the Form of the
connected meter. Refer to the meter’s technical manual for the values for all meter
Forms.
5. You may also set the test mode to Auto-exit after a specified number of Demand
Intervals (in the range of 1 to 255).
6. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Turn ON Test Mode Completion
Note: If you select Meter Default Output, the test mode will exit after three demand
intervals.
Turn PQM ON/OFF task

By adding a Turn PQM ON/OFF task to a function definition, the function will allow you to
turn PQM testing ON or OFF. You can use this task to change the state of PQM testing
without re-programming the meter with a new PQM component.
Turning PQM testing on or off

Note: You will need to define a function containing the Turn PQM On/Off task. See

Metercat
2. From the Function drop-list, select the Turn PQM On/Off function or a function that
includes the Turn PQM On/Off task.
— Or —
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Turn PQM
On/Off run time dialog. Metercat displays a run time dialog that allows you to select
the state of PQM testing.
Caution: Executing the Turn PQM ON/OFF task with OFF selected will
prevent any PQM tests from being executed regardless of their
Run the Specified PQM Test settings. See “PQM component”
on page 386 for more information.
4. Select either On or Off depending on the desired state for PQM testing.
5. Click OK.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Turn PQM On/Off Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the state of the PQM
feature.
Note: If the connected meter has the PQM Alpha Key disabled and you execute a Turn
PQM ON/OFF task with ON checked, PQM tests will not run.
You can also use the PQM component to turn on PQM testing by checking PQM ON. See
“PQM component” on page 386 for details.
Unlock Service task

By adding an Unlock Service task to a function definition, the function will force the
connected meter out of a manually locked service test state.
Once a service is manually locked, you must use this task to clear the locked service from
memory to prepare the meter for use on a new service.
Metercat
Unlocking the service of a meter

To unlock the service of a meter:

2. From the Function drop-list, select the Unlock Service function or a function that
includes the Unlock Service task.
— Or —
When the function completes, Metercat displays the Unlock Service Completion
Report indicating the status of the task (succeeded or failed) and the state of the
service (unlocked).
At this point the meter is no longer locked on a service. If Smart Autolock is enabled,
the meter will search for and lock on a valid service if possible. In Smart Autolock, the
meter may switch locked services depending on the results of the service voltage
test. If the meter cannot detect a valid service, it remains locked on the last known
valid service and displays the error code, SEr 555000, on the LCD.
If the meter is configured for Manual Lock, it will search for a valid service. If a valid
service is detected, the phase rotation, voltage magnitude, and service type is
displayed on the meter’s LCD. You must press the Reset button to lock on the
detected service. If the Reset button is not pressed, the LCD alternately displays the
error code, SYS –––––– and the detected service information. Once the service is
manually locked the service will never automatically unlock. You must execute the
Unlock Service task to unlock the service.
If the meter is set for 'None' then the service remains unlocked.

By adding a View ICM Status task to a function definition, the function will display the
internal cellular modem (ICM) configuration, network signal strength and cellular network
status.
Note: This task may be performed using either the optical or the remote connection. The
task runs continuously with real time display of status.
Viewing ICM status


2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the View ICM Status
task.
— Or —
Metercat
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the View ICM
Status run time dialog that details modem and network information.
The following table describes the parameters found on the View ICM Status dialog.
Item Description
Meter Serial Number Meter serial number (20 characters) programmed into the
meter by the manufacturer.
Radio ESN Electronic serial number of the ICM assigned by the modem
manufacturer.
Mobile ID Number Ten digit telephone number provided by cellular carrier.
Metercat
Item Description
Mode One of the following operating modes:
• Home: Always use Home network; No roaming
permitted. The SID numbers provided by the cellular
carrier define the Home network.
• Normal: use Home network if available, otherwise permit
roaming on non-home network.
• Network A: use network A only; permit roaming only on
Network A
• Network B: use network B only; permit roaming only on
Network B
• Win4: only applicable to specific carrier contracts;
-- Win4 with Verizon
-- TelemetryNET with Telenetics1, Inc.
• Custom: the ICM radio will automatically select one SID
from a pre-defined Custom SIDs file. This mode is used to
prevent roaming when a carrier has several SIDs in a
given geographical area. See “Change ICM Custom SIDs
task” on page 95 and “Read ICM Custom SIDs task” on
page 127.
Roaming Indicates if cellular radio is roaming during current
operation (Yes / No).
Note: This field may also indicate “Cellular Radio is
Disabled,” “No Cellular Service,” or “Cellular radio is
over-temperature” in the event the radio is disabled,
no cellular service could be detected, or the radio
has been powered off to prevent overheating.
Home Network The network applicable to the Home SID. Either Network A
or Network B.
Note: This field is not applicable to Win4 mode.
Home SID Home System Identification number of the cellular radio. The
Home SID is configured using the Change ICM Settings task
task.
Note: This field is not applicable to Win4 mode.
RSSI (dBm) Received signal strength indicator (measured in dBm).
RSSI Range MIN: The smallest RSSI value (measured in dBm) recorded
during the View ICM Status session.
MAX: The largest RSSI value (measured in dBm) recorded
during the View ICM Status session.
Current Network Network on which the cellular radio is presently operating
as defined by the current SID.
Current SID The SID through which the radio has registered on the
cellular network.
Current Channel Indicates the currently active Channel during cellular radio
operation.
Modem Temperature Current modem temperature in degrees Celsius.
Modem Battery Voltage Current modem battery voltage.
1. formerly Global Data, Inc.
Note: The View ICM Status task runs continuously therefore to stop the task you must click
the Cancel button on the run time dialog to stop the task.
Note: This dialog may respond slowly to pressing the buttons.
4. Click Cancel.
When the function completes, Metercat displays the View ICM Status Completion
Metercat
Troubleshooting Task Execution
All tasks
Message: Attempts to communicate with this meter failed due to invalid password.
You experience problems executing a task. The Function Completion Report error message
states “Attempts to communicate with this meter failed due to invalid password.”
Corrective Action
Verify with your Metercat Administrator that your group has access to the correct password
set and level to execute the specified task. See “Meter Access Level tab” on page 72 for
additional details.
Program task
Message: The program specified for this function is not available for the connected meter.
The Program task is configured with a default Program ID and Prompt for Override at Run
Time is not checked. At function execution, instead of the run time dialog you see an error
message stating “The program specified for this function is not available for the connected
meter.” After acknowledging the message, the Program Completion Report displays
stating “The program specified for this function is not available for the connected meter!
The function will be canceled.”
— Or —
The Program task is configured with a default Program ID with Prompt for Override at Run
Time. At function execution, instead of the run time dialog you see an error message
stating “The program specified for this function is not available for the connected meter.”
You must select one of the available Program IDs or click Cancel.
Corrective Action
Verify that the program is available and is appropriate for the connected meter type. Verify
with your Metercat Administrator that your group has access to the proper Program ID. The
list of available programs depends on your Group’s enabled programs (see “Programs
tab” on page 70 for additional details).
Program task
PQM is not Turned On
The program’s PQM component has PQM ON checked and the meter shows that PQM is
ENABLED but a reading report PQM view shows the PQM ON is unchecked.
Corrective Action
Check the Program task that PQM is not set to Do Not Change. If it is, you can edit the task
parameters to change the PQM setting or you can turn PQM ON by executing the Turn
PQM ON/OFF task and selecting ON (if it is available to your group).
Tasks by Password Level

The following table lists tasks by password level.
Password Level Task

Read Only Diagnostic Read task
Metercat
Password Level Task

Billing Read Only tasks plus the following:
Billing Read task
Change Time task
Demand Reset task
Optical REX Change Password task
REX Clear Data task
REX Connect Service task
REX Demand Reset task
REX Disconnect Service task
REX Meter Identification Info task
Unrestricted Read Only and Billing tasks plus the following:
Change Demand Overload task
Change Demand Thresholds task
Change ICM Settings task
Change KYZ Output task
Change Passwords task
Change Modem Init String task
Change Out LAN Collector task
Clear Battery Log task
Clear Data task
Clear Event Flags task
Clear Event Log task
Clear PQM Data task
Configure Special Option Board task
Unrestricted Read ICM Custom SIDs task
Register Edit task
Replace PQM task
Replace Rates and Dates task
Replace Remote task
Test ICM task
Test Mode Off task
Test Mode On task
Turn PQM ON/OFF task
Unlock Service task
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 159 8. Managing machine settings
8 Managing machine settings
The Machine Settings tool allows you to view and manage your computer’s connection
settings (that is, COM ports), including:
• Adding a new connection

• Viewing a connection’s settings
• Changing a connection’s settings
• Deleting a connection
• Configuring for AlphaPlus software
Supported connection types

Metercat supports meter communications using the following methods:
• Optical Probe
• Modem
• Direct Connect
• TCP/IP
Optical Probe
The Elster UNICOM optical probe is used in the meter shop and in the field to communicate
with the meter. The UNICOM probe is connected from the computer’s serial or USB port to
the meter’s optically coupled port.
Note: You need to have an independent power supply for the UNICOM II probe. A small
battery pack or a 120 VAC converter is available.
To use the UNICOM probe, follow the instructions provided with that product.
Note: For successful operation, be sure that the probe is connected securely at both
ends.
To communicate with meters using the optical probe you must add a connection
specifying the correct settings for the probe (see “Adding a new connection” on page 161
for details).
Modem
Metercat software may be configured to communicate using a modem with Elster meters
(also equipped with an internal or an external modem).
To connect with such meters, you must:
• add the connection specifying the correct modem init string for the computer’s
modem (see “Adding a new connection” on page 161 for details)
• enter the meters’ phone number in the Phone Book with the correct settings (see
“Adding a new phone book entry” on page 286 for details)
Metercat
Direct Connect
Metercat software may be configured to communicate directly with A3 ALPHA and A1800
ALPHA meters through direct connections such as RS-232 and RS-485. To connect with
such meters, you must:
• add the connection specifying the correct packet settings (see “Adding a new
connection” on page 161 for details)
Note: Contact Elster Technical Support for information on configuring 20 mA current loop
and 2-wire RS-485 connections.
TCP/IP
Metercat software may be configured to communicate using ANSI C12.21 standard TCP/IP
to communicate with A3 ALPHA meters having TCP/IP transceivers connected by RS-232.
To connect with such meters, you must:
• add the connection specifying the correct packet settings (see “Adding a new
connection” on page 161 for details)
• enter the meters’ TCP/IP address in the Phone Book with the correct settings (see
“Adding a new phone book entry” on page 286 for details)
Accessing Machine Settings

To open the Machine Settings dialog:
1. From the Tools menu, select Machine Settings.

The Machine Settings dialog is displayed.
2. Click Close to close the dialog and return to the Metercat main window.
The following table describes the columns and buttons that appear in the Machine
Settings dialog:
Area or Field Description
Connection Name Displays the name of the existing connections.
Metercat

Connection Type Displays the type of the connection: Optical Probe, Modem,
Direct Connect, or TCP/IP.
Serial Port Displays the COM port number used for the current connection.
Note: TCP/IP does not use this setting.
New Opens the Connection Editor dialog where you can create a
new connection.
Edit Opens the currently selected connection in the Connection
Editor dialog, so you can modify its information.
Delete Removes the currently selected connection from Metercat.
Close Exits the currently opened dialog.
Help Accesses the online help topic that is specific to the currently
opened dialog.
Browse Browses to the location of the Alpha Plus software.
Adding a new connection

To add a new connection source to Metercat, complete the following steps.

2. Click New and select the type of connection to be added: Optical Probe, Modem,
Direct Connect, or TCP/IP.
The Edit Connection dialog for the selected Type is displayed.
Metercat
3. Enter the Name for the new connection (for example, Modem or Optical Probe) to be
used when establishing a connection.
Note: Contact Elster Technical Support for information on configuring 20 mA current loop
and 2-wire RS-485 connections.
4. Select the COM Port the connection will be using.
— Or —
If the port number is greater than 4, type in the COM number (for example, COM6).
Note: To determine the COM port, from the Control Panel select System. In the System
Properties dialog, select Hardware tab and click Device Manager. In the system
explorer select Ports (COM & LPT) to expand the section to view all configured COM
ports.
Note: The TCP/IP connection type does not use a Port setting.
5. If you have selected a connection type of Optical Probe, select the appropriate
Battery Control DTR High or RTS High for the optical probe.
Note: Elster’s Unicom probe will communicate with ANSI C12.18-compliant meters using
one of the following settings:
• both DTR High and RTS High disabled
• with DTR High or RTS High enabled
Refer to your optical probe’s technical specifications for details on the proper DTR
and RTS settings.
6. For each Protocol supported by the connection type and the supported meter type:
a. Select the Speed (in bits per second) from the drop list.
Note: TCP/IP does not use this setting.
Note: You should always set the connection speed higher than or equal to the maximum
bit rate configured in the meter's remote definition to ensure reliable
communications (refer to “Remote component” on page 413).
Metercat
b. Enter a value for Packet Size (range of 64 to 8192; default is 1024).

c. Enter a value for Packet Retries (range of 1 to 20; default is 3).
Metercat
7. If you have selected a connection type of Modem:

Metercat
a. Enter the Modem Init String for the selected modem.

Caution: If you receive communications errors during remote
communication sessions, verify that the computer's modem is
not configured to use v.90 modem standard. Refer to the
manual that came with your modem to find the AT command
code to specify v.22 standard and add it to the Modem Init
String.
b. From the Dialing String drop list select either ATDT for tone dialing or ATDP for
pulse dialing.
c. Enter the Dialing Timeout value (10 to 255 seconds; default is 60).
Advanced fields are used for troubleshooting communications and should only be
set with the help of Elster Customer Support. Advanced settings are specific to the
channel (Probe/Modem/Direct Connect/TCP/IP) or the Protocol. The Advanced
button at the top of the form is for channel settings and the button at the bottom of
the form is for protocol settings.
8. Click OK to save your new connection or click Cancel to return to the Machine
Settings dialog without saving the new connection.
Viewing a connection’s settings

To view a connection’s settings:

2. Select a connection from the Connection Name list.
3. Click Edit.
Metercat
The Edit Connection dialog appears with the selected function’s information
displayed:
4. When you have completed reviewing the selected connection, click Cancel to close
the Edit Connection dialog and return to the Machine Settings dialog.
Changing a connection’s settings

To change a connection’s definition:

3. Click Edit.
The Edit Connection dialog appears with the selected connection’s information
displayed.
Metercat
4. Make any necessary changes (for example, packet size or packet retries, etc.).
5. When you have completed your changes, click OK to save the changed connection
settings or click Cancel to close the Edit Connection dialog and return to the Machine
Settings dialog.
Deleting a connection
To delete a connection:

3. Click Delete.
Metercat prompts you to confirm the deletion:
4. Click Yes to confirm that you wish to delete the selected connection; click No to cancel
the command.
Metercat
Configuring for AlphaPlus software

To configure the path to Elster’s AlphaPlus software:

2. Click Browse.
The Select folder with APLUS.BAT dialog is displayed.
3. Navigate to the folder location where AlphaPlus is installed (for example, C:\Aplus\).
4. Select APLUS.BAT in the list of files and click Open.
5. Click Close to close the Machine Settings dialog.
Troubleshooting AlphaPlus serial port conflicts

AlphaPlus Rel. 1.3 introduces changes in how the serial communications port is accessed
(Aplus.dll). These changes improve communication reliability for computers using
Windows 2000, XP or Vista.
However, not all AlphaPlus support applications have been changed; therefore, when an
application that uses the DOS port access uses a given port, this port will be locked from
use by any application using the Windows port access (that is, Aplus.dll) and the port will
not be unlocked until the DOS window is closed. Other DOS applications started in this
same DOS window that use DOS port access may be able to access the port.
Metercat
The table below shows the different AlphaPlus applications and which port access method
each uses.
Application Name Comm. Port Access Notes

AlphaPlus 1.30 Windows (Aplus.dll) • Port can be shared with Metercat, applications using Aplus.dll, and other
Windows applications. Exception: Other applications will not be able to access
the communication port when AlphaPlus is displaying the To Proceed, press
ENTER prompt.
Thresholds 1.30 DOS • Thresholds and PQ Inspector use DOS direct port access. Once either of these
applications accesses the port, the DOS window will lock the port and only
applications using DOS direct port access running in the same window can
access the port. The DOS window must be closed to release the port.
Loss Compensation 1.30 Windows (Aplus.dll) • Port can be shared with Metercat, applications using Aplus.dll, and other
ENTER prompt.
• An early version of Loss Compensation 1.30 uses the Aplus.dll, however the
port sharing is not consistent with AlphaPlus or ALPHA Keys. The port is not
shareable while Loss Compensation is active, but it does not require the user
to close the DOS window to free the port. An improved version of Loss
Compensation (dated 01/10/2004) offers similar port sharing to AlphaPlus.
ALPHA Keys 1.30 Windows (Aplus.dll) • Port can be shared with Metercat, applications using Aplus.dll, and other
ENTER prompt.
Power Quality Inspector 1.22 DOS • Thresholds and PQ Inspector use DOS direct port access. Once either of these
applications accesses the port, the DOS window will lock the port and only
applications using DOS direct port access running in the same window can
access the port. The DOS window must be closed to release the port.
Establishing communications with a meter

To communicate with a meter you must first define the connection you plan to use. See
“Adding a new connection” on page 161 for details on defining a connection.
Note: The meter must be energized before you can establish communication.
You can communicate with a meter in one of the following ways:
• Optical Probe
• Modem
• Direct Connect
• TCP/IP
Optical Probe
To establish communications with a meter using an optical probe:
1. From the Connections menu, select your optical probe connection.

The connection toolbar appears below the Metercat menu.
2. Select the Function to execute from the drop list.

Metercat
3. Click Go to communicate with the meter (that is, execute a function, see Chapter 13,
“Programming a meter” or Chapter 14, “Reading a meter” for details).
Modem
Note: To communicate with a meter on a modem sharing unit, the meter must be
programmed with a Device ID for the port being used (see “Program task” on page
122 or “Replace Remote task” on page 139 for details on setting Device IDs).
To establish communications with a meter using a modem:
1. From the Connections menu, select your modem connection.

2. Click Dial to open the Select an Installation to Dial dialog.
3. Select the Phone Book entry (see Chapter 12, “Managing the Phone Book”) to dial
(either double-click the entry or click OK).
Metercat attempts to establish a connection with the meter; the Dialing Log text box
shows the connection progress and information as specified in the Modem Init
String.
4. After the connection is established you are ready to execute a function (see
“Executing a function” on page 83).
Direct Connect
Note: To communicate with a meter on a modem sharing unit, the meter must be
programmed with a Device ID for the port being used (see “Program task” on page
122 or “Replace Remote task” on page 139 for details on setting Device IDs).
To establish communications with a meter using a direct connection:
1. From the Connections menu, select your direct connection.

The direct connection toolbar appears below the Metercat menu.
Metercat
2. Enter the Device ID for the meter (for a single meter installation, zero, the default,
indicates the meter; 1-254 is used for multiple meter installations).
Note: To communicate with a single meter regardless of the programmed Device ID, you
can use Device ID = 0 or its programmed Device ID.
3. After the connection is established you are ready to execute a function (see
“Executing a function” on page 83).
Note: Metercat attempts to establish a connection with the meter after you select a
function and press Go.
TCP/IP
To establish communications with a meter using a modem:
1. From the Connections menu, select your TCP/IP connection.

2. Click Address to open the Select an Installation to Dial dialog.
3. Select the appropriate Phone Book entry (see Chapter 12, “Managing the Phone
Book”) to access the meter (either double-click the entry or click OK).
Metercat attempts to establish a connection with the meter.
After the connection is established you are ready to execute a function (see “Executing a
function” on page 83).
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 172 9. Managing meter passwords
9 Managing meter passwords
Meter passwords are used to provide secure communications between meter software
and meters. Metercat provides greater flexibility and security by maintaining multiple
password sets.
Note: Usually a utility will create a new password set and assign groups to use the new
set. This method maintains the original Factory Default password set in Metercat.
The Meter Password Management tool allows you to view and manage metering
functions including:
• Accessing Meter Passwords Management

• Adding a new password set
• Changing a password set
• Viewing a password set’s history
• Deleting a password set
Note: To manage meter passwords, you must be a member of a group with Create/Edit
privileges to Manage Meter Passwords. See “Privileges tab” on page 67 for details.
For details on setting a group’s meter password level see “Meter Access Level tab”
on page 72.
About meter passwords

Elster’s A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters use three levels of meter access passwords.
These passwords provide different access levels that determine which functions can be
performed by any connected software. The table below details the access levels of the
various passwords.
Lowest Level Access Normal Level Access Highest Level Access

Read Only Billing Read Unrestricted
including: used for:
• demand reset • Program task
• time synchronization • Change tasks
• Clear tasks
• Replace tasks
• reading ILC1 or ILN1 data
from a A3 ALPHA meter
(remote connection only)
Note: To maintain meter data security, the factory default passwords in each meter
should be changed to those defined in the utility’s password set.
Each password level within a password set should be different because the meter
compares the transmitted password with its programmed passwords in sequence: 1)
highest, 2) normal, and then 3) lowest. Therefore, if the Read Only password is the same
as the Unrestricted password, a Read Only group could potentially have unrestricted
access to the meter.
Metercat
Password encryption in the ANSI C12.19 meter

Elster A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters fully support the ANSI C12.18 security service. A
separate, 20-character password exists for each password access level (that is,
Unrestricted, Billing Read, and Read Only). By default, all three passwords are set to all
zeros (“00000000000000000000”) at the factory [Factory Default password set].
Additionally, the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters fully support the ANSI C12.21
authentication service for all remote meter communication. Per ANSI C12.21, this service
uses an 8-byte encryption key when initiating remote communication. A separate
encryption key exists for each password access level (that is, Unrestricted, Billing Read,
and Read Only).
For convenience, when configuring an A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA meter, Metercat sets
each encryption key used for each remote access password level equal to the first 8
characters of the 20-character optical password. Thus, to ensure that remote encryption
keys are unique, whenever passwords other than the factory defaults (all zeros) are used,
Elster strongly recommends that you ensure that the first 8 characters of each level
password are unique from each other.
Password Access Level Password (20 characters)
Unrestricted A4B6C194GDFN9QW87T2P
Billing Read D4E6F194GDFN9QW87T2P
Read Only A4B6C194GDFN9GW87T2Z

Must be unique
from Unrestricted Encryption
and Read Only keys
passwords
encryption keys.
For example, if the Unrestricted password is “A4B6C194GDFN9QW87T2P” then the

encryption key used to gain remote access to the meter with Unrestricted privileges will be
“A4B6C194”. Therefore the Read Only and Billing passwords should not have this string as
the first 8 characters of their passwords.
REX meter password

Note: Metercat can only communicate with a REX meter through the optical port.
Elster’s REX meter uses only one 8-digit password (numeric only). This password allows
you to execute the various REX tasks on a connected REX meter. See Chapter 7, “Managing
functions” for REX meter tasks.
Note: If you enter a number of less than 8 digits, zeros will be added after the last digit
until the password is 8 digits.
ALPHA Plus meter passwords

Metercat manages ALPHA Plus meter passwords for use in Alpha Keys software. These
passwords must be up to 8 digits and consist of the following:
• Unrestricted (Full Access)

• Billing Read
• Read Only
• Unrestricted (Full Access - optical)
Metercat
Note: Alpha Keys uses only the Unrestricted meter password for communicating with an
ALPHA Plus meter and uses the Unrestricted optical password for a meter
programmed with a non-zero Device ID.
About password sets

A password set consists of three passwords: one for each access level (highest–
Unrestricted, normal–Billing Read, and lowest–Read-only). See “About meter passwords”
on page 172 for details on password access levels.
The Meter Passwords Management dialog allows you (if you are an authorized user) to
determine which passwords are available for communicating with meters.
Note: Password management is restricted by group-level security. Depending on your

group’s Privileges, you may not have access to manage meter passwords (see
“Privileges tab” on page 67 for more details).
When you create or change a password, a new record is added to the Metercat database.
This record becomes part of the password history and includes the date/time stamp and
the logon name of the user that created or changed the password set.
For security purposes, Metercat does not delete the password set from the Metercat
database. Instead, the password set is removed from the Meter Password Management
dialog.
Password retry options

Metercat has two options to use in the event a current password set fails to establish
communications with a meter:
• Password History Depth

• Try all zeros after other attempts fail
Password History Depth

Password History Depth sets the number of versions (ranging from 1 to 9) of a password
for the selected password set that Metercat will try to establish communications with a
meter.
For example, a Programmer group member attempts to program a meter. The selected
password set has a Password History Depth of 2. Metercat uses the current Unrestricted
password from the selected password set (password set name.0 in the figure below) in an
attempt to communicate with the meter. If this password fails, Metercat will retrieve
password set name.1 from the database and attempt to communicate with the meter. If
this password also fails, Metercat displays an error message and will not retrieve
password set name.2.
Note: If Try all zeros after other attempts fail is checked, Metercat will try to communicate
with the meter using all zeros as the password.
Created on Created by Password Set Level

current user ID password set name.0
12/31/2005 user ID password set name.1
Note: Metercat does not attempt to use password sets other than the password set
assigned to the user’s group. See “Meter Access Level tab” on page 72 for details
on groups and meter passwords.
Metercat
Try all zeros after other attempts fail

As mentioned earlier, all A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters’ factory default passwords
are set to 20 zeros. If Metercat fails to establish communication with a meter up to the
password set’s specified history depth and Try all zeros after other attempts fail is
checked, Metercat will use a password containing 20 zeros in an attempt to establish
communication with the meter.
Accessing Meter Passwords Management

To open the Meter Passwords Management dialog:
1. From the Tools menu, select Meter Passwords Management.

The Meter Passwords Management dialog is displayed.
Note: Depending on your Metercat’s installed supported meters you may or may not see
the REX or the ALPHA Plus tabs. See the Metercat Getting Started Guide for
details on installing supported meters.
Metercat
Note: ALPHA Plus meter passwords are for use with Alpha Keys software only. Metercat
cannot read or program ALPHA Plus meters.
Metercat
The following table describes the buttons and columns found on the Meter Passwords
Management dialog:
Item Description
Password History The number of passwords tried within a given Password Set
Depth when communicating with a meter. The minimum value is 1.
(applies globally for all Example: If set to 1, only the current password is tried. If set to 2,
meter families) then the current password is tried and if it fails the most recent
prior password is tried. See “Password History Depth” on page
174.
Note: When accessing a meter no other access level is
attempted other than the level specified by the user's
group security level.
Try all zeros after other If checked and the current password and the old password (to
attempts fail the depth specified in Password History Depth) do not work,
(applies globally for all Metercat will try using the default meter password of all zeros.
meter families) See “Try all zeros after other attempts fail” on page 175.
New Creates a new password set.
Delete Deletes an existing password set.
Apply Enters any password set changes to the Metercat database but
does not exit the Meter Passwords Management dialog. The
button will be disabled until you change a password in the
password set.
History Opens the Password Set History dialog for the selected
password set.
ANSI C12.19 tab
Name Name assigned to the password set (must be unique). This
name is used to assign a password set to a program (see
“Properties tab” on page 353) and to a user group’s “Meter
Access Level tab” on page 72.
Unrestricted Password used for programming the meter and performing

non-billing read functions. See “Tasks by Password Level” on
page 157 for details.
Billing Password used to perform a billing read, a demand reset, and
synchronize time in the meter. See “Tasks by Password Level” on
Read Only Password used to read a meter (not for billing purposes). See
“Tasks by Password Level” on page 157 for details.
REX tab
Password Password used to perform REX meter tasks. See Chapter 7,
“Managing functions” for the list of REX meter tasks.
ALPHA Plus tab

Metercat
Item Description
(remote) non-billing read functions.
Billing Password used to perform a billing read, a demand reset, and
(remote) synchronize time in the meter.
Read Only Password used to read a meter (not for billing purposes).
(remote)
(optical) non-billing read functions via the optical port.
Adding a new password set
Note: Usually a utility will create a new password set and assign groups to use the new
set. This method maintains the original Factory Default password set in Metercat.
To add a new password set:
1. Open the Meter Passwords Management dialog.

2. Click New; a new row appears below the existing password sets.
3. Enter a Name for the new password set.

4. Enter the passwords in the appropriate columns:
• For REX meters, enter up to 8 numbers (0 through 9).
• For ANSI C12.19 meters, enter up to 20 ASCII characters; for ALPHA Plus meters,
enter up to 8 numbers (0 through 9) in the appropriate password columns:
1) Unrestricted - highest level access
2) Billing - normal level access
3) Read Only - lowest level access
4) Unrestricted Optical - highest level access (for ALPHA Plus meters via the
optical port)
Metercat
Note: If you change any password from the default value, then, to maintain meter
security all passwords higher than the changed password’s access level must be
changed from the default values. For example, if you change the password at the
Billing Read level from the default, then the Unrestricted password must also be
changed.
5. For all meters, enter a number for the Password History Depth (range of 1 to 9).
6. For all meters, if needed, check to Try all zeros after other attempts fail.
7. Click Apply to save your addition without closing the Meter Passwords Management
dialog; click OK to save your addition and return to the main window; or click Cancel
to close the Meter Passwords Management dialog and return to the main window.
Changing a password set

To change an existing password set:

2. Select the appropriate password set from the Password Set list.
3. Click in the appropriate column to select the password you need to change.
4. Type in the new password replacing the existing password.

Note: If you change any default password, then, to maintain meter security, all
passwords above the changed password’s access level must be changed. For
example, if you change the password at the Read Only level from the default, then
the Billing and the Unrestricted passwords must also be changed.
Metercat
5. To save your changes:

a. Click outside of the changed column to enable the Apply button and click Apply.
b. Click OK to return to the main window.
See “Change Passwords task” on page 100 for details on changing passwords in a
connected meter using a function.
Viewing a password set’s history

To view a password set’s history:

2. Select a password set from the displayed list.
3. Click History.
The Metercat Password History displays for the selected meter password set.
Deleting a password set

Elster recommends that to ensure meter data accessibility, you not delete any existing
password sets from Metercat.
Note: Password sets are removed from Password Management but are retained in
Metercat’s database.
To delete a password set:

2. Select a password set from the displayed list.
3. Click Delete.
Metercat
4. Click Yes to confirm that you wish to delete the selected password set; click No to
cancel the command.
Troubleshooting password problems
Invalid passwords
Scenario
I created a new set of passwords and programs and proceeded to program an ANSI
C12.19 meter. The meter was programmed successfully. Now I am unable to perform a
billing read due to invalid passwords.
What happened
This problem occurs as the result of a conflict between user management and program
development. Remember that password sets are independently assigned to both
programs (see “Properties tab” on page 353) AND to user groups (refer to “Meter Access
Level tab” on page 72). The password set assigned to a program affects only what is
downloaded to the meter during a programming session.
When a Metercat user attempts a communication function (like a billing read) with an ANSI
C12.19 meter, the passwords that are used to communicate with the meter are whatever
has been assigned to the group to which that user belongs (using Tools > User
Management or Tools >Account Information > Meter Access Level tab).
When you defined and programmed a different password set into the meter, you forgot to
change the assigned password set for the group to which you belong. To fix this problem,
have your Metercat Administrator access Tools > User Management then edit the group
to which you belong. You will find the password setting under the Meter Access Level tab.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 182 10. Managing stored readings
10Managing stored readings
Metercat allows you to selectively store billing and diagnostic readings (see “Billing Read
task” on page 88 and “Diagnostic Read task” on page 115). You may then use the Stored
Reading Management command to manage the stored data in the following ways:
• open stored readings

• import and export stored readings
• delete stored readings
Note: Billing read files are stored in the Metercat\Readings\Billing folder. Diagnostic
read files are stored in the Metercat\Readings\Diagnostic folder.
Opening stored readings

Metercat allows you to view stored readings online. These readings are in Metercat’s MSR
(Metercat stored reading) file format.
To view stored readings:
1. In Windows Explorer, double click on the MSR file.

— Or —
Right click on the MSR file and select Open.
— Or —
Drag the MSR file into Metercat.
— Or —
From the Metercat Tools menu, select Stored Readings Management.
The Stored Readings Management dialog displays.
Metercat
2. Select the Viewset from the drop list.

• Double-clicking a reading opens the reading in the viewset.
3. To sort-and-group stored readings:
a. To sort the listing by Read Type, Meter Type, Meter ID, or Date/Time, double click
on the specific column header button.
b. To group, select the column header button you wish to use for sorting and
grouping.
c. Drag-and-drop the column header button up into the gray area reserved for
grouping.
d. The table is sorted and grouped based on the selected column.
e. Repeat for the next column header.
4. Select the desired reading from the displayed list.

5. Click Open to view the reading.
Opening stored readings from Windows Explorer

To open an MSR file from Windows Explorer:
1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the appropriate location of the MSR file.

2. Double-click on the MSR file.
— Or —
Right click on the MSR file and select Open.
Metercat opens and, if you are using multi-user mode, the logon screen displays.
3. Log on to Metercat.
The Stored Reading Management dialog displays with the selected Readings File
path and name.
Metercat
4. Select a Viewset from the drop list.

5. Click Open.
The MSR file opens in the selected viewset.
Exporting stored readings

Stored Readings Management allows you to import or export stored meter readings (MSR
formatted files).
You may export a stored reading into one of the following file formats:
• Metercat Stored Readings file (MSR) - This is used to store readings to another
location so that you can import them into another Metercat system.
• Profile HHF for MV-90 - This should be used to convert the file into a format for use
with MV-90 software.
• Interval Data as ASCII text file (load profiling data only) - This is used to create a text
file that can be imported into a spreadsheet for graphing of your load profile data.
• Instrumentation Profiling Set 1 or 2 (instrumentation profiling data only) - This is
used to create a text file that can be imported into a spreadsheet for graphing of
your instrumentation profile data.
To export stored readings:
1. From the Tools menu, select Stored Readings Management.

The Stored Readings Management dialog is displayed.
Note: You can use the Windows command line to export Metercat stored readings. See
“Exporting stored readings using DOS command line” on page 192 for details.
Metercat
2. Select a reading from the table.

Note: To export multiple readings, hold down either the <Ctrl> or the <Shift> keys and
select the readings.
3. Click Export and select one of the following:
a. as Metercat Stored Readings file:
1) Select the location and enter the filename for the new file.
2) Click Save.
b. as PROFILE HHF for MV-90:
1) Select the location and enter the filename for the new file.
2) Click Save.
Note: Depending on how you installed Metercat (for All Users or for me only), the
Reading files will be located at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Elster\Metercat\Readings or C:\Documents and Settings\<user logon
ID>\Application Data\Elster\Metercat\Readings.
Metercat
Note: See “Billing Read task” on page 88 for information on creating PROFILE HHF
automatically.
c. Interval Data as ASCII:
Note: To select multiple readings hold down the <Ctrl> key and click on each desired
reading.
Note: Where the time in the meter has been changed1, missing intervals are exported as
zeros and duplicate intervals are exported by adding the duplicate values
together.
Note: The times in the exported file are given in standard time (that is, Daylight Saving
Time is not used) and represent the end of interval in meter local time.
1. whether as the result of a power outage or a time synchronization of the meter.

Metercat
1) Make required selections as described in the table below:

Item Description
Restrict Data by ID Select specific ID for the file:
• All IDs - no restrictions to the report
• Account - restricts the report to only those readings from
the specified Account (ID#1 in System Preferences)
• Meter ID - restricts the report to only those readings from
the specified Meter ID (ID#2 in System Preferences)
Start Date/Time Select beginning date for meter data appearing on the file:
Time (Optional) - range is 00:00 to 23:59
Note: A blank date specifies all data prior to the Stop date will
be reported.
Note: The drop-down arrows open a calendar to allow you to
select a date.
Metercat
Item Description
Stop Date/Time Select ending date for meter data appearing on the file:
Time (Optional) - range is 00:00 to 23:59.
Note: If the interval length is 1 minute, to include the last
interval (23:59-24:00) of the day you will need to specify
the next day’s first interval (00:00-00:01).
Note: A blank date specifies all data after the Start date will
be reported.
select a date.
Output Date Format Select dates formats used within the file (possible values are
MM/DD/YY, DD/MM/YY, and YY/MM/DD)
Note: The default value is your system date format.
Output File (Required) Specifies the location and filename for the
generated file.
Note: By default, the report files are saved to the Metercat/
Reports directory.
Output Format Select the structure of the file:
• Interval per Row - Each row contains complete information
for one interval period
• Day per Row - Each row contains information for one
complete day for a single channel of data
• Day per Column - Each column contains information for
one complete day for a single channel of data
Note: Start and Stop Times are disabled for the Day per Row
and Day per Column output formats.
Output Units Specifies what units to use for the output data:
• Demand - computed from the meter pulse data based on
the settings within the meter and the report
• Energy - computed from the meter pulse data based on the
settings within in the meter and the report
• Pulses - shows the raw pulses from the meter (disregards
any Transformer Factor and External Multipliers applied)
Note: Pulse data matches pulse data shown in a reading
with the appropriate pulse divisor (Interval Data
Configuration component) applied.
Field Delimiter Select delimiter used to separate the data fields in the file:
• Comma
• Space
• Tab
Output ID Specify the identifier in the export file (either ID 1 or ID 2).
Transformer Factor Determines whether the Transformer Factor is applied to the
energy or demand values. Transformer Factor is the value of
CT*VT as set in the Constants component within in the meter.
Note: Only used for Energy or Demand units.
Register Multiplier Determines whether the register multiplier is applied to the
energy or demand values. Register Multiplier is the value set
in the Constants component within in the meter.
Note: Only used for Energy or Demand units.
Metercat
Item Description
Include Channel Labels Determines whether channel labels are included in the
exported file:
• Interval per Row: a header is added in the same format as
for Instrumentation Profiling.
• Day per Row: a channel label is added after a channel
number for each channel
• Day per Column: a row with channel labels is added next
to a row with channel numbers.
Note: Applies only to interval data exported to ASCII file.
Save Options Saves the options you have selected into a parameter file for
future use. The options are saved to a text file (with a CFG
extension) stored in the Metercat\Config folder (by default).
Load Options Loads previously saved options from a parameter file created.
The file can be created using the Save Options selection, or
can be a parameter file created for use on the command-line
(see “Creating a MetercatASC CFG file” on page 195 for details
on creating a parameter file).
See the Metercat\Config\ folder for an example of the default
*.cfg file, MetercatASC.cfg.
Note: The export options CFG file may be shared among several machines.
d. Instrumentation Data Set 1 (or Set 2) as ASCII:
Note: To select multiple readings hold down the <Ctrl> key and click on each desired
reading.
Note: Where the time in the meter has been changed2, missing intervals are exported as
zeros. For quantities using either the Average or the End algorithm, the most
recent duplicate interval will be exported; for quantities using the Maximum
algorithm, the interval with the maximum value will be exported; for quantities
using the Minimum algorithm, the interval with the minimum value will be
exported.
Note: The times in the exported file are given in standard time (that is, Daylight Saving
Time is not used) and represent the end of interval in meter local time.
Note: Duplicate intervals are exported by adding the duplicate values together.
2. whether as the result of a power outage or a time synchronization of the meter.

Metercat
1) Make required selections as described in the table below:

Item Description
Restrict Data by ID used to select specific ID for the report:
• All IDs - no restrictions to the report
• Account - restricts the report to only those readings from the
specified Account (ID#1 in System Preferences)
• Meter ID - restricts the report to only those readings from the
specified Meter ID (ID#2 in System Preferences)
Start Date/Time Date - beginning date for meter data appearing on the report
Time (Optional) - range is 00:00 to 23:59
Note: A blank date specifies all data prior to the Stop date will
be reported.
select a date.
Metercat
Item Description
Stop Date/Time Date - ending date for meter data appearing on the report
Time (Optional) - range is 00:00 to 23:59.
Note: If the interval length is 1 minute, to include the last interval
(23:59-24:00) of the day you will need to specify the next
day’s first interval (00:00-00:01).
Note: A blank date specifies all data after the Start date will be
reported.
select a date.
Output Date Format used to format dates used within the report (possible values are
MM/DD/YY, DD/MM/YY, and YY/MM/DD)
Note: The default value is your system date format.
Output File (Required) specifies the location and filename for the generated
report
Note: By default, the report files are saved to the Metercat/
Reports directory.
Output Format structure of the report:
• Interval per Row - Each row contains complete information
for one interval period
Field Delimiter delimiter used to separate the data fields in the report.
Choices are:
• Comma
• Space
• Tab
Output ID used to specify the identifier in the export file (either ID 1 or ID 2)
Save Options Saves the options you have selected into a parameter file for
future use. The options are saved to a text file (with a CFG
extension) stored in the Metercat\Config folder (by default).
Load Options Loads previously saved options from a parameter file created.
The file can be created using the Save Options selection, or can
be a parameter file created for use on the command-line (see
“Creating a MetercatASC CFG file” on page 195 for details on
creating a parameter file).
See the Metercat\Config\ folder for an example of the default
*.cfg file, MetercatASC.cfg.
Convert to Primary (as Metercat multiplies instrumentation data by the appropriate CT
applicable) or VT value depending on the unit of measure before exporting
the data.
Note: The export options CFG file may be shared among several machines.
2) Click Export to create the report.
• If successful, the file is stored to the Output file location specified.
• If unsuccessful, errors are reported to a log file in the Metercat directory
(Elster\Metercat\Reports\MetercatASC.log)
Metercat displays a dialog giving the status of the export.
Metercat
Exporting stored readings using DOS command line

An ASCII file of load profile or instrumentation profile data from a stored reading can be
created from the Windows command prompt.
To create an ASCII report from the command prompt:
1. From the Start menu, select Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.
A Command Prompt window displays.
2. Navigate to the location of the MetercatASC.exe file (the default location is
C:\Program Files\Elster\Metercat).
3. Type MetercatASC using the appropriate parameters.
Note: For syntax help, type: MetercatASC /?.
Metercat
a. The following parameters must be passed to the executable for successful

completion:
Syntax Description
SRC= Specifies the source of the data (that is, LP - load
SRC=LP profile or IP1 or IP2 - instrumentation profile set 1
or set 2):
• LP (default)
• IP1
• IP2
Note: If SRC is omitted from the command, LP is
used.
<Format> Specified the output format:
• INT_PER_ROW (Interval per Row)
• DAY_PER_ROW (Day per Row)
• DAY_PER_COL (Day per Column)
Note: DAY_PER_ROW and DAY_PER_COL
formats are not supported when
exporting instrumentation data (that is,
SRC=IP1 or SRC=IP2).
OUTPUT=”<path + filename>” Specifies the output file location (must be
OUTPUT=”C:\Temp\REPORT1” enclosed in quotation marks).
Note: If no path is specified, the report will be

generated in the \Metercat\Reports
directory
READING=”<path + filename>” Specifies the reading file location (must be
READING=”Billing\A3R*.msr” enclosed in quotation marks).
Readings are stored by Metercat in one of the
following directories:
• .\Metercat\Readings\Billing\
• .\Metercat\Readings\Diagnostic\
To specify one or more readings files use
wildcards (* or ?).
Note: If more than one reading file is
encountered for an ID, the report will
generate only the most recent reading for
the ID.
Example of a command using just required parameters:

MetercatASC SRC=LP DAY_PER_ROW OUTPUT="C:\Temp\REPORT1" READING="Billing\A3R*.msr"
This command will export all profile data for Metercat stored reading files that begin
with A3R.
b. The following parameters are optional:
Syntax Description
DF=<format> Specifies the Date Format for the report (default is
DF=MM/DD/YY the machine’s system Date/Time properties).
Date Format options are:
• MM/DD/YY
• DD/MM/YY
• YY/MM/DD
Note: The DF specified can also be used for the
Start and Stop parameters.
Metercat
Syntax Description
ID1=”<id1>” • represents the ID #1 setting from System
ID1=999888777666 Preferences > Site ID Labels tab (default value
ID1=”My Account” is Account)
• restricts the readings specified to only include
readings from this ID #1
encountered for the specified ID, the report
will generate only the most recent reading
for the ID.
Note: If the ID includes spaces, the ID must be
enclosed in quotation marks.
ID2=<id2> • represents the ID #2 setting from System
ID2=987654 Preferences > Site ID Labels tab (default value
ID2=”DL 987654321” is Meter ID)
• restricts the readings specified to only include
readings from this ID #2
encountered for the specified ID, the report
will generate only the most recent reading
for the ID.
Note: If the ID includes spaces, the ID must be
enclosed in quotation marks.
START=<start-date [,start-time]> Specifies a start date and time for the report using
START=12/15/01,14:30 the data format specified by the DF option.
Time is an optional part of this parameter and
uses the format: hh:mm, in the range of 00:00 to
23:59.
Note: If the readings specified with this
parameter contain no data from the start
time specified, no output will be
generated.
STOP=<stop-date[,stop-time]> Specifies a stop date and time for the report using
STOP=12/15/01,14:30 the data format specified by the DF option.
Time is an optional part of this parameter and
uses the format: hh:mm, in the range of 00:00 to
23:59.
Note: If the interval length is 1 minute, to include
the last interval (23:59-24:00) of the day
you will need to specify the next day’s first
interval (00:00-00:01).
DELIMITER=<delimiter> Specifies the delimiter used in the report file
DELIMITER=COMMA (default is SPACE).
Options for delimiter are:
• SPACE
• COMMA
• TAB
Note: UOM, TF, and EXTMULT parameters are ignored when exporting Instrumentation
data (that is, when SRC=IP1 or IP2).
UOM=<uom> This option specifies the unit of measure (UOM)
UOM=PULSES for the report (default is DEMAND).
Values for UOM are:

• DEMAND
• ENERGY
• PULSES
Metercat
Syntax Description
TF=<YES or NO> This option determines whether the transformer
TF=YES factor is applied to the Energy or Demand data in
the report (see “Exporting stored readings” on
page 184 for description of transformer factor).
By default, the value for this parameter is YES.

EXTMULT=<YES or NO> This option determines whether the external
EXTMULT=NO multiplier is applied to the Energy or Demand
data in the report (see “Exporting stored
readings” on page 184 for description of external
multiplier).
By default, the value for this parameter is NO.

OUTID=<1 or 2> Used to specify the identifier in the export file
OUTID=2 [default, Meter ID] (either ID 1 or ID 2).
OUTIDLBL=<ID Label> This option is used to specify the Site ID label to be
OUTIDLBL=”Meter ID” used for the column header row for the OUTID
parameter.
Example with DF and delimiter parameters defined:

MetercatASC SRC=LP DAY_PER_ROW OUTPUT="C:\Temp\REPORT1" READING="Billing\A3R*.msr" DF=MM/DD/YY
delimiter=TAB
Example with all optional parameters defined:
MetercatASC SRC=IP2 INT_PER_ROW OUTPUT="C:\Temp\REPORT1" READING="Billing\A3R*.msr" DF=DD/MM/YY
ID2=987654321 START=06/01/04,00:00 STOP=06/02/04,00:00 delimiter=TAB OUTID=2 OUTIDLBL=”Meter
ID”
c. Alternatively, you can create a parameter file that defines all the parameters and
call the file using the following syntax:
MetercatASC @”MetercatASC.cfg”
Syntax Description
@”<path+parameter-filename>” This option allows you to specify a parameter file
@”C:\Program containing the options you wish to specify. Path
Files\Elster\Metercat\Config\param and filename must be enclosed in quotation
eters.cfg” marks.
4. Press Enter.
5. Type Exit to close the Command Prompt window.
Creating a MetercatASC CFG file

Using a text editor such as Notepad, you can create a parameter file that specifies the
desired parameters. To create a parameter file using a text editor, you must use the
following restrictions:
• each entry must be on a separate line

• all parameters can be specified in the file or the options can be set using a
combination of the command-line and the parameter file
• the parameter file created can also be used to load settings into the user interface
using the Load options button (see “Exporting stored readings” on page 184)
Alternatively, you can create a parameter file using Metercat.
Metercat
To create a parameter file using Metercat:
1. From Stored Readings Management, select a Reading file.

2. Click Export > Interval Data as ASCII.
3. In the Interval Data ASCII-Export Options dialog set the parameters as needed.
4. Click Save Options.
5. Navigate to a location for the parameter file (default is Metercat\Config\).
6. Save the file with the desired filename and using either the CFG extension or a TXT
extension.
7. To just create a parameter file, click Cancel to cancel the export.
— Or —
To continue with the export click Export to create the export file.
Example CFG file

The following text is an example of a parameter file for a command line execution:
MetercatASC SRC=LP INT_PER_ROW OUTPUT="C:\Program Files\Elster\Metercat\Reports\6 4 04 Billing

Reset File.txt" READING="Billing\A3K 123456789 20040607142103.msr" DF=MM/DD/YY START=06/04/
04,00:00 STOP=06/05/04,00:00 delimiter=TAB UOM=DEMAND TF=YES EXTMULT=NO OUTID=2 OUTIDLBL=”Meter
ID”
*********************************************************
INT_PER_ROW
OUTPUT=C:\Program Files\Elster\Metercat\Reports\6 4 04 Billing Reset File.txt
READING=Billing\A3K 123456789 20040607142103.msr
DF=MM/DD/YY
UOM=DEMAND
START=06/04/04,00:00
STOP=06/05/04,00:00
DELIMITER=TAB
TF=YES
EXTMULT=NO
OUTID=2
SRC=LP
OUTIDLBL=Meter ID
*********************************************************
Importing stored readings

You may import one or more Metercat MSR reading files using Stored Readings
Management.
To import an MSR file of stored readings:
1. Click Import.
The Select Metercat Stored Reading to Import dialog is displayed.
Metercat
2. Navigate to the location of the reading files to be imported and select one or more
files.
Note: To import multiple readings, hold down either the <Ctrl> or the <Shift> keys and
select the readings.
3. Click Open.
Metercat imports the selected file.
Note: Imported files appear in bold text in the list. When you close Stored Readings
Management and re-open Stored Readings Management the imported readings
will no longer appear in bold text.
Metercat
Note: See “Setting stored readings options” on page 52 for details on specifying filename
format.
4. Click Close to close the Stored Readings Management dialog and return to the main
window.
Note: You must have Export and/or Import privileges to export or import meter readings.
You must have Delete privileges to delete any meter readings. See “Entering group
information” on page 65 for details.
Deleting a stored reading
Note: In System Preferences (see “Setting stored readings options” on page 52), you can
set a stored readings option that sends deleted readings to the Recycle Bin rather
than deleting them immediately from the machine.
To delete a file of stored readings:
1. From the Tools menu, select Stored Readings Management.

The Stored Readings Management dialog is displayed.
2. From the table, select the reading to be deleted.
3. Click Delete.
Metercat prompts you to confirm that you do wish to delete the selected reading file.
4. Click Yes to delete the file or click No to cancel the deletion and return to the Stored
Readings Management dialog.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 199 11. Managing viewsets
11 Managing viewsets
The Viewset Management tool allows you to view and manage viewset information,
including:
• Accessing Viewset Management

• Creating a new viewset
• Available views
• Default viewsets
• Viewing a viewset’s properties
• Changing a viewset
• Deleting a viewset
• Creating a Viewset Report
• Opening a report
What is a viewset?
Metercat uses views to organize related meter data information. Using Viewset
Management, you can combine one or more views into a viewset. Viewsets are used to
display data that has been recorded by the meter and data that was written to the meter
(they are also used in program development).
Note: You must be a member of a group with create/edit privileges in Viewset

Management to create or edit a viewset. See “Adding a new group” on page 59
for details.
Accessing Viewset Management

To open the Viewset Management dialog:
1. From the Tools menu, select Viewset Management.

The Viewset Management dialog is displayed.
Metercat
2. Select the appropriate view from the Viewsets list; the Included Views list changes to
display those views that compose the selected view.
• Clicking New or Edit opens the Viewset Builder dialog. See “Using the Viewset
Builder” on page 200 for details.
3. Click Close to close the dialog and return to the main window.
The following table describes the boxes and buttons that appear in the Viewset
Management dialog.
Item Description
Viewsets Displays a list of all the viewsets defined in Metercat.
Included Views Displays a list of all the views included in the currently selected
viewset.
New Opens the Viewset Builder dialog where you can create a new
viewset.
Edit Opens the currently selected viewset in the Viewset Builder
dialog for editing or reviewing.
Delete Removes the currently selected viewset from Metercat.
Close Closes the Viewset Management dialog.
Help Opens the online help topic on viewset management.
Using the Viewset Builder

The Viewset Builder contains two tabs:
• Viewset Definition tab

• Access Control tab
Viewset Definition tab

The Viewset Definition tab allows you to perform the following functions:
• determine which views are included in a particular viewset

• add views to a particular viewset
• remove views from a particular viewset
Metercat
The table below describes the boxes and buttons on the Viewset Definition tab.
Field/Button Description
Viewset Name Displays the name of the currently selected viewset. When
creating a new viewset, you type a unique name in this field.
Available Views Displays a list of all the views that can be added to the current
viewset.
Included Views Displays a list of all the views that are included in the current
viewset.
Movement Buttons See “Using movement buttons” on page 22 for details on using
(Add, All, Remove, Up the movement buttons.
and Down)
Access Control tab

Note: The Access Control tab is only visible if Metercat is configured as a multi-user
system. See “Configuring the user environment” on page 40.
The Access Control tab allows you to perform the following functions:
• view groups that have access to a particular viewset

• add groups to the Enabled Groups list (that is, give them privileges to the viewset)
• remove groups from the Enabled Groups list (that is, revoke privileges to the viewset)
Metercat
The table below describes the boxes and buttons on the Access Control tab.
Field/Button Description
Disallowed Groups Displays a list of groups that do not have access to the
selected viewset.
Enabled Groups Displays a list of groups that have access to the selected
viewset.
Movement Buttons (Add, See “Using movement buttons” on page 22 for details on
All, and Remove) using the movement buttons.
Creating a new viewset

Clicking New or Edit while in the Viewset Management dialog displays the Viewset Builder
dialog. The Viewset Builder allows you to add or remove views from a viewset (the Viewset
Definition tab) and to add or remove group access privileges to the viewset (the Access
Control tab).
Note: To create a viewset, you must belong to a group that has Create/Edit privileges to
Viewsets Management (see “Entering group information” on page 65).
To create a new viewset:

2. Click New.
The Viewset Builder dialog is displayed.
Metercat
3. Type a name for your new viewset in the Viewset Name box.
4. Select a view in the Available Views list and click Add to move the view to the
Selected Views list; repeat for each additional view you want to include in the
viewset.
5. To change the order of the views in the viewset, select a view in the Selected Views
list and click either Up or Down to move the selected view in the desired direction.
6. Select the Access Control tab.
Note: The group you are currently logged on under is automatically granted access to
the new viewset.
7. Select a group in the Disallowed Groups list.
8. Click Add to move the selected group to the Enabled Groups list; repeat for each
additional group.
9. After you have entered all of the relevant information regarding the new viewset,
click OK to complete the definition.
Viewing a viewset’s properties

Sometimes you may need to refresh your memory about a viewset’s properties (that is,
included views, permissions, etc.).
To display a viewset’s settings:

2. From the Viewsets list, select the viewset you want to view.
3. Click Edit to open the Viewset Builder dialog.
Metercat
4. Select the appropriate tab for the information you wish to view.
5. When you have reviewed all of the information regarding the selected viewset, click
Cancel to close the Viewset Builder and return to the Viewset Management dialog.
Changing a viewset
To change the included views or the access privileges for a particular viewset:

2. From the Viewsets list, select the viewset you want to change.
3. Click Edit to open the Viewset Builder dialog.
Metercat
4. If you want to add or remove views from a viewset, select the Viewset Definition tab.
a. To add a view, select a view from the Available Views list and click Add to move
the view to the Included Views list.
b. To remove a view, select a view from the Included Views list and click Remove to
move the view to the Available Views list.
5. If you want to change the access privileges for the viewset, select the Access Control
tab.
Metercat
a. To give a group access to a viewset, select a group in the Disallowed Groups list
and click Add to move the group to the Enabled Groups list.
b. To remove a group’s access to a viewset, select a group in the Enabled Groups
list and click Remove to move the group to the Disallowed Groups list.
6. Click OK to save your changes or click Cancel to close the Viewset Builder without
saving your changes.
Deleting a viewset
To completely remove a viewset from Metercat:

2. Select the viewset you want to delete from the Viewsets list.
3. Click Delete.
4. Click Yes to confirm the deletion or No to cancel and return to the Viewset
Management dialog.
Creating a Viewset Report

Before you can create a viewset report you must:
• read a meter (with a viewset selected) as described in “Reading a meter” on page

300
— Or —
• open a stored reading as described in “Opening stored readings” on page 182
To create a viewset report:
1. With the viewset displayed, from the File menu, select New > Report.
If the viewset contains Interval Data (Pulses) and/or Interval Data (Instrumentation)
the Report Configuration Options dialog displays.
Metercat
2. Select the appropriate range of data for each available view:

a. Only Currently Expanded Days [default] – select the Interval Data (Pulses) view or
the Interval Data (Instrumentation) view in the displayed viewset and expand
those dates whose interval data you wish to be included in the report (that is, one
day, several days, or all days).
b. Start Date – Stop Date – will include only the interval data in the Interval Data
(Pulses) view or the Interval Data (Instrumentation) view that falls within the date
range.
c. All Data – will include all data in the Interval Data (Pulses) view or the Interval Data
(Instrumentation) view in the report.
3. Click OK.
Metercat displays an HTML file of the viewset data.
Note: If the viewset includes the Instrumentation view, Metercat creates, in the Reports
folder, a new folder with a name based on the file name of the report. Metercat
stores a JPEG file of the phasor diagram image in this new folder.
Metercat
4. To save the report, from the File menu, select Save As.
Opening a report
Metercat saves reports as HTML files.
To open a saved report:
1. From the File menu, select Open > Report.

The Select a Report for Viewing dialog is displayed.
Metercat
2. Navigate to the location of saved reports.

3. Select the report you wish to open from the list.
4. Click Open.
The selected report is displayed.
Metercat
See Chapter 18, “Using the Program Editor” for details on information contained in the
views.
Available views
Available views are:
• Constants view • PQM view

• Current Billing view • PQM/Sag Log Data view
• Day Types view • PQM/Sag Status view
• Day Types Pending view • Previous Billing view
• Demand view • Previous Season view
• Demand Pending view • Quantities view
• Display view • Relay Options view
• Display Pending view • Remote view
• Event Log Data view • Self Reads view
• History Log Data view • Service Test view
• Instrumentation view • Special Dates view
• Instrumentation Profiling Config view • Special Dates Pending view
• Interval Data (Instrumentation) view • Special Features view
• Interval Data (Pulses) view • Special Option Board view
• Interval Data Configuration view • Status view
• Logs view • Switch Times view
• Switch Times Pending view
Metercat
Default viewsets
Metercat installs with the following default viewsets:
Long Diagnostic includes all views
Meter Data includes:

• Constants view • Self Reads view
• Current Billing view • Status view
• Previous Billing view • Interval Data (Pulses) view
• Previous Season view • Event Log Data view
Program includes all views except:

Configuration
• Current Billing view • PQM view
• Day Types Pending view • PQM/Sag Log Data view
• Event Log Data view • PQM/Sag Status view
• History Log Data view • Previous Season view
• Instrumentation view • Self Reads view
• Instrumentation Profiling • Special Dates Pending view
Config view • Special Option Board view
• Interval Data (Pulses) view • Switch Times Pending view
• Previous Billing view
Short Diagnostic includes:
• Status view • Interval Data (Pulses) view
• Current Billing view • Event Log Data view
• Quantities view
Constants view
The Constants view displays the connected meter’s constants settings. See “Constants
component” on page 358 for details.
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Constants view.
Item Description
Metering Application Indicates whether the meter is performing one of
the following:
• Secondary Metering
• Primary Metering
Register Multiplier The external multiplier that must be applied to all
billing values.
CT Ratio Current transformer ratio.
VT Ratio Voltage transformer ratio.
CT × VT Indicates the meter’s transformer factor.
Adjusted Kh Indicates the watthour constant that is used to
convert energy pulses to watthours.
Adjusted Ke Indicates the value used by the meter to convert
pulses to energy.
Adjusted Kd Indicates the demand constant (represents watts
per pulse).
Current Billing view

The Current Billing view displays the billing data for the current period.
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Current Billing view
Item Description
Total Indicates the total energy, that is, the sum of all rates (first
column) and the peak demand for all rates (second column).
Rates Indicates the value for the configured metered quantities (for
example, kWh-Del, kVARh(Q2+Q3), PF kWh-Del, Coincident
values, etc.) as well as the values for Maximum Demand and
Cumulative Demand. See “Quantities view” on page 251 for
details on the meter’s configured quantities.
Note: Some rows may have values of 0.000000 and have no
date/time values. This indicates that the particular rate
is not used or the rate is used but a value has not been
recorded by the meter.
Date/Time Indicates the date and time the metered quantity value was
recorded.
Note: For –Net quantities the maximum demand column will contain delivered demand
values. For example, for kWh–Net the maximum demand values will be kW–Del.
Day Types view

The Day Types view displays the day types (by season) defined in the meter’s program. See
“Day Types component” on page 361 for details on configuring day types. Seasons shown
are configured in System Preferences (see “Configuring seasons” on page 48 for details).
Metercat
Note: If the connected meter is configured as a single rate demand meter (A3D or
A1800D), you will see the following message, “Feature is not supported for this
meter type.”
Note: If the connected meter is not configured to collect time-of-use (TOU) data, you will
see the following message, “TOU is not enabled in this meter.”
The table below details the information provided by the Day Types view:
Item Description
Season Lists all of the seasons (default = 4) defined in System
Preferences (see “Configuring seasons” on page 48).
Day of Week Defines the day type for a particular day of the week
(Sunday through saturday) and holidays for each defined
season.
Day Types Pending view

The Day Types Pending view displays the day type configuration changes that will take
affect on the indicated Effective Date after the execution of a Replace Rates and Dates
task that specifies the replacement of the Rates component (see “Replace Rates and Dates
task” on page 136). Seasons shown are configured in System Preferences, (see
“Configuring seasons” on page 48 for details).
meter type.”
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Day Types Pending view.
Item Description
Season Lists all of the seasons (default = 4) defined in
System Preferences (see “Configuring seasons” on
page 48).
Day of Week Defines the day type for a particular day of the
week (Sunday through saturday) and holidays for
each defined season.
Perform a Self Read indicates whether the meter will perform a self
read on the effective date that the new day type
settings go into effect
Perform a Demand Reset indicates whether the meter will perform a
demand reset on the effective date that the new
day type settings go into effect
Effective Date the date the new day type settings take effect
Demand view
The Demand view displays the demand configuration for the meter’s program. See
“Demand component” on page 362 for details.
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Demand view.
Item Description
Exponential Response If checked, the meter allows Exponential
Response (default values in Normal mode:
Interval = 15 min. and Subinterval = 15 min.;
default values in Test mode: Interval = 1 min.
and Subinterval = 1 min.).
Interval Demand Interval (minutes).
Subinterval Demand Subinterval (minutes)
Overload Demand metering
Rate Thresholds Indicates the meter’s programmed thresholds
Cumulative Demand Type Indicates the cumulative demand
configuration:
• At Reset
• Continuous
Test Interval Test mode demand interval (minutes)
Test Subinterval Test mode demand subinterval (minutes)
Demand Forgiveness Time Indicates the time span (in minutes) during
which maximum demand is not calculated
following an outage.
Demand Forgiveness Outage Time Indicates the minimum time span (in minutes)
for a power outage required to initiate a
demand forgiveness period.
Metercat
Demand Pending view

The Demand Pending view, like the Demand view, displays the Demand configuration
changes that will take affect on the indicated Effective Date after the execution of a Replace
Program task that specifies the replacement of the Demand component (see “Replace
Program task” on page 132). See “Demand view” on page 215 for details on items in the
Demand Pending view.
Display view
The Display view displays the meter’s LCD display configuration. See “Display component”
Metercat
Control tab
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Control subtab.
Item Description
Hold Time Indicates the length of time that an item
remains visible on the meter’s LCD display.
Demand & Energy Format Options Indicates the format options for the meter’s
display:
• Decimal Location - maximum of four
digits
• Display Digits - three to six digits
• Display Units - Unity, Kilo, Mega
Display Labels (Annunciators) on Display Indicates whether display labels appear on
Lists the meter’s LCD during the following modes:
• Normal
• Alternate
• Test
Show One Cycle of Alternate Display List Indicates the display power up setting
at Power Up (disabled or enabled). To change this setting,
select Tools > System Preferences >
Programming Options (see “Setting
programming options” on page 49 for
details).
Show Leading Zeros on Metered Indicates whether displayed values contain
Quantities leading zeros (enabled/disabled)
Metercat
Item Description
Display Previous Billing Data Indicates how the meter displays previous
billing data:
• Always
• Only if present
Display Previous Season Data Indicates how the meter displays previous
(TOU meters only) season data:
• Always
• Only if present
Date Format Indicates the format used to display dates
(TOU meters only) on the meter’s LCD:
• Day-Month-Year
• Month-Day-Year
• Year-Month-Day
Self Read Annunciator Numbering Indicates the type of numbering for stored
self reads:
• Annual - labels the self read with the
number of the month (01-12)
• Rolling - labels the self read with the
number of months in the past (for
example, 01 means last month, 06
means six months past, etc.)
Configure ALL Instrumentation Quantities Indicates whether all instrumentation
as Primary quantities are multiplied by the transformer
ratios (that is, voltage quantities will be
multiplied by the voltage transformer (VT)
ratio; current quantities will be multiplied by
the current transformer (CT) ratio; and power
quantities will be multiplied by the
transformer factor).
Number of Self Reads to loop through Indicates the number of self reads that will
be stored before overwriting the oldest self
read data (range of 0 to 35).
Metercat
Warnings tab
The table below details the information provided by the Warnings subtab.
Item Description
Locking warnings on the display using Indicates that all warnings will lock the meter’s
defined codes display.
Reverse Power detection warning Indicates whether the meter is programmed to
detect reverse power.
Warnings selected to lock display as error Indicates those warnings that the meter will
Er3 300000 display as Error Er3 300000
See Appendix E, “Meter Events, Errors & Warnings” and the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical
Manual (TM42-2190) for details on event, errors and warnings.
LCD Display Items

The Normal, Alternate and Test tabs display the configuration settings for the meter’s LCD
display list. Refer to “Grouping Display Items” on page 372 for a list of available display
items of the A3 ALPHA meter.
• the Normal tab lists the meter’s normal mode display items and their IDs
Metercat
• the Alternate tab lists the meter’s alternate mode display items and their IDs
Metercat
• the Test tab lists the meter’s test mode display items and their IDs
Metercat
Display Pending view

The Display Pending view, like the Display view, displays the Display configuration changes
that will take affect on the indicated Effective Date after the execution of a Replace Program
task that specifies the replacement of the Display component (see “Replace Program task”
on page 132). See “Display view” on page 217 for details on items displayed in the Display
Pending view.
Metercat
Event Log Data view

The Event Log Data view displays a sequential list of all meter events, their date/time of
occurrence, and the Userid (Meter Programmer’s ID, see “General tab” on page 62) of the
individual triggering such events. See “Logs component” on page 383 for configuration
details.
Metercat
History Log Data view

The History Log Data view displays a sequential list of all events which altered the meter
programming, their date/time of occurrence, and the Userid (Meter Programmer’s ID, see
“General tab” on page 62) of the individual triggering such events. See “Logs component”
on page 383 for configuration details.
Metercat
History Events
The occurrence of the following events are stored in the History Log:
No Event Daylight Savings Time On

Primary Power Down Daylight Savings Time Off
Primary Power Up Season Change
Time Changed (old time) Rate Change
Time Changed (new time) Special Schedule Activation
End Device Accessed for Read Tier Switch Change
End Device Accessed for Write Pending Table Activation
Procedure Invoked Pending Table Clear
Table Written To Metering mode started
End Device Programmed Meter shop mode started
Communication Terminated Normally Meter shop mode stopped
Communication Terminated Abnormally Configuration error detected
Reset List Pointers Self check error detected
Metering mode stopped Ram failure detected
Test mode started Rom failure detected
Test mode stopped Non volatile memory failure detected
Update List Pointers Clock error detected
History Log Cleared Measurement error detected
History Log Pointers Updated Low battery detected
Event Log Cleared Low loss potential detected
Event Log Pointers Updated Demand overload detected
Demand Reset Occurred Power failure detected
Self Read Occurred Tamper detect detected
Reverse rotation detected
Note: Some meters may not support recording all history log events. Refer to the meter’s
technical manual for the logging capabilities of a particular meter.
Metercat
Instrumentation Profiling Config view

The Instrumentation Profiling Config view displays the instrumentation profiling
configuration of the meter’s program. See “Instrumentation Profiling Config component” on
meter type.”
Note: If the connected meter is not configured to collect instrumentation profiling data,
you will see the following message, “Instrumentation Profiling is not enabled in this
meter.”
Metercat
Note: If Days of Storage is set to Maximize, the meter will be programmed with a
calculated Number of Days of storage (see “Memory Allocation tab” on page 355)
and this value is displayed in the view.
Instrumentation view
The Instrumentation view displays the instrumentation profiling data collected by the
meter.
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Instrumentation view.
Item Description
Voltage Indicates the meter’s voltages by phase
Voltage Phase Angle Indicates the meter’s voltage phase angles by
phase
Current Indicates the meter’s current by phase
Current Phase Angle Indicates the meter’s current phase angles by
phase
Power Factor Indicates the meter’s current power factor
Power Factor Angle Indicates the meter’s current power factor angle
kW Indicates the meter’s current kW per phase.
kVAR Indicates the meter’s current kVAR per phase.
kVA Indicates the meter’s current kVA per phase.
Line Frequency Indicates the meter’s current line frequency.
Phasor diagram Provides a graphical representation of the phase
rotations and angles of the current as read by the
meter. See Phasor Diagram below for details on
the diagram.
Note: This diagram is not updated in real time.
Metercat
Phasor Diagram
The phasor diagram is primarily used to verify correct installation of the meter (ensuring
that all the expected currents and voltages are present and in the appropriate relative
positions).
The following table details the phasor diagram:
Item Description
curved arrow in the lower Indicates the phase rotation direction of lagging current.
right-hand corner of the The default direction of rotation displayed is counter-
diagram clockwise.
voltage, current and displayed in the appropriate colors for the matching
phase angles identifiers: blue for voltage, green for current, and red for
lag or lead of current vs. voltage.
The arrows on the graph do not represent magnitude of
current or voltage.
text in upper left-hand voltage rating of the meter and other relevant meter
corner of the diagram information (such as the wiring, number of phases, etc.)
lower left-hand corner of date and time of the reading
the diagram
Interval Data (Instrumentation) view

The Interval Data (Instrumentation) view displays the meter’s instrumentation data by date
and interval stop time for all recorded channels. Additionally, the view shows individual
channel and interval status information.
meter type.”
Note: If the connected meter is not configured to collect instrumentation profiling data,
you will see the following message, “Instrumentation Profiling is not enabled in this
meter.”
Metercat
Note: Clicking on a button for a particular date shows the interval data for only that
day.
Metercat
Note: The time indicated is the meter’s local time and not GMT or computer local time.
Note: The viewset report (File > New > Report) will allow you to select the data included
in the report (that is, all data, a date range or expanded dates only). See “Creating
a Viewset Report” on page 206 for details.
Metercat
The following table explains the button functions found on the Interval Data
(Instrumentation) tab.
Item Description
Collapse All Days - displays only the dates for the interval data in the
meter reading. Clicking on one date, shows the meter interval data
collected on that date.
Expand All Days - displays the interval data for every date contained in
the meter reading.
Note: You must click this button to have all interval data appear on a
report (File > New > Report).
Hide Status Columns - hides the status information column (that is, only
date and pulse data is displayed).
Show Status Columns - shows the status information columns in addition

to the date and pulse data.
Interval Status
Interval data uses two types of statuses: Interval Status and Channel Status (for the
specified interval).
Note: All status values are set by the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter except for the
Current Interval status value which is set by Metercat.
Interval Status values are:
Metercat
• Dst - Daylight Saving Time (Summer Time) is in effect during interval

• Pwr - Power failure or restoration occurred during interval
• ClkF - meter clock was reset forward during interval
• ClkB - meter clock was reset backward during interval
• Cur - this is the current interval
Note: The Interval Status column may have a value Dst Pwr ClkF ClkB Cur, however due to
limitations in the allowable width of the column, not all values may be visible; you
may generate a report (File > New > Report) to view all values.
Channel Status
Note: More than one Channel Status event may occur in an interval; however, due to
ANSI C12.19 limitations only one value will be displayed according to the A3 ALPHA
meter status priorities detailed below.
Because the ANSI C12.19 standard allows for only one channel code to be set in an
interval, the channel status will be displayed in the following priority (highest to lowest):
1. Test - Interval contains test mode data. The meter entered or exited test mode during
the marked interval.
2. Overflow - Channel overflow. The data accumulated during the interval exceeded
the data format chosen for the interval.
3. Skipped - Skipped interval. There was no data available for the channel during the
interval.
4. Long - Long interval. The interval length was longer than its configured length.
5. Partial - Partial interval. The interval length was shorter than its configured length.
6. Blank - Nothing extraordinary occurred during the interval.
Interval Data (Pulses) view

The Interval Data (Pulses) view displays the meter’s interval data in pulses by date and
interval stop time for all recorded channels. Additionally, the view shows individual
channel and interval status information.
meter type.”
Note: If the connected meter is not configured to collect interval profiling data, you will
see the following message, “Basic Load Profiling is not enabled in this meter.”
Metercat
Note: Clicking on a button for a particular date shows the interval data for only that
day.
Metercat
Note: Metercat automatically multiplies the pulse data by the appropriate pulse divisor
(see “Interval Data Configuration component” on page 381).
Note: The time indicated is the meter’s local time and not GMT or computer local time.
Note: The viewset report (File > New > Report) will allow you to select the data included
in the report (that is, all data, a date range or expanded dates only). See “Creating
a Viewset Report” on page 206 for details.
Metercat
The following table explains the button functions found on the Interval Data (Pulses) tab.
Item Description
Collapse All Days - displays only the dates for the interval data in the
meter reading. Clicking on one date, shows the meter interval data
collected on that date.
Expand All Days - displays the interval data for every date contained in
the meter reading.
Note: You must click this button to have all interval data appear on a
report (File > New > Report).
Hide Status Columns - hides the status information column (that is, only
date and pulse data is displayed).
Show Status Columns - shows the status information columns in addition

to the date and pulse data.
Interval Status
Interval data uses two types of statuses: Interval Status and Channel Status (for the
specified interval).
Note: All status values are set by the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter except for the
Current Interval status value which is set by Metercat.
Interval Status values are:
Metercat
• Dst - Daylight Saving Time (Summer Time) is in effect during interval

• Pwr - Power failure or restoration occurred during interval
• ClkF - meter clock was reset forward during interval
• ClkB - meter clock was reset backward during interval
• Cur - this is the current interval
Note: The Interval Status column may have a value Dst Pwr ClkF ClkB Cur, however due to
limitations in the allowable width of the column, not all values may be visible; you
may generate a report (File > New > Report) to view all values.
Channel Status
Note: More than one Channel Status event may occur in an interval; however, due to
ANSI C12.19 limitations only one value will be displayed according to the A3 ALPHA
meter status priorities detailed below.
Because the ANSI C12.19 standard allows for only one channel code to be set in an
interval, the channel status will be displayed in the following priority (highest to lowest):
1. Test - Interval contains test mode data. The meter entered or exited test mode during
the marked interval.
2. Overflow - Channel overflow. The data accumulated during the interval exceeded
the data format chosen for the interval. A pulse divisor may be necessary (see
“Interval Data Configuration component” on page 381).
3. Skipped - Skipped interval. There was no data available for the channel during the
interval.
4. Long - Long interval. The interval length was longer than its configured length.
5. Partial - Partial interval. The interval length was shorter than its configured length.
6. Blank - Nothing extraordinary occurred during the interval.
Interval Data Configuration view

The Interval Data Configuration view displays the interval data configuration of the meter’s
program. See “Interval Data Configuration component” on page 381 for details.
meter type.”
Note: If the connected meter is not configured to collect interval profiling data, you will
see the following message, “Basic Load Profiling is not enabled in this meter.”
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Interval Data Configuration view.
Item Description
Days of Storage Indicates the number of days the meter is
programmed to store interval pulse data.
Note: If Days of Storage is set to Maximize, the
meter will be programmed with a
calculated Number of Days of storage
(see “Memory Allocation tab” on page
355) and this value is displayed in the
view.
Interval length Indicate’s the meter’s programmed interval pulse
length.
Pulse Divisor Indicates the meter’s programmed pulse divisor.
Quantities Recorded Indicates the measurement quantities being
recording in each channel.
Logs view
The Logs view displays the logs settings of the meter’s program. See “Logs component” on
Metercat
Metercat
The Logs view includes the following information:
Item Description
Event Log Entries Indicates the number of event entries per log
stored in the meter.
History Log Entries Indicates the number of history entries per log
stored in the meter
Sag Log Entries Indicates the number of sag event entries per log
stored in the meter
PQM Log Entries Indicates the number of PQM event entries per log
stored in the meter
Self Reads Indicates the number of self reads the meter is
programmed to store (max of 15).
Contents of Event Logs Indicates the events stored by the meter in the
event log.
Note: In addition to the events supported by the A3 ALPHA meter, the A1800 ALPHA
meter also supports the following: Terminal Cover Removal Detection, Main Cover
Opening Detection and Phase Outage. See “Logs component” on page 383 for
details on these A1800 ALPHA meter events.
Metercat
PQM view
The PQM view displays the PQM configuration for the connected meter. See “PQM
component” on page 386 for details on PQM configuration.
Note: The Set Version and PQM Version are displayed to the right of the PQM Set drop
list.
If the connected meter does not support PQM (that is, the PQM Alpha Key is disabled), the
upper left corner of the PQM view will state PQM is not enabled in the meter.
However, the PQM component can be configured in the meter regardless of the PQM
Alpha Key setting, therefore, the PQM view will show the configured PQM test settings. See
“PQM component” on page 386.
Note: If the connected meter is not configured to perform PQM (that is, PQM key is
disabled), you will see the following message, “PQM is not enabled in this meter.”
Unrecognized Test Set

If the connected meter is programmed with an unrecognized test set, the PQM Set will
display as Unknown (the Set Version and PQM Version will be shown) and the
enumerated Test Names (1–12) will display as Test 1, Test 2, Test 3, etc. instead of Service
Voltage Test, Low Voltage Test, High Voltage Test, etc.
PQM/Sag Log Data view

The PQM/Sag Log Data view displays the log data for PQM tests (PQM log tab) and for
voltage sag event (Sag log tab) for the current billing period.
Metercat
If the connected meter does not support PQM (that is, the PQM Alpha Key is disabled), or
the Read task PQM Logs setting was None, the respective tabs will state “No data
available.”
The PQM Log tab displays the following information:
Item Description
Seq. No. Indicates the order in which the PQM test failure
occurred.
Date/Time Indicates the date and time the specific PQM test
Note: This applies to TOU meters exceeded both the set thresholds and the
only. qualification time (see “PQM component” on page
386).
Note: The date/time of the PQM test failure may be
different from the date/time that appears on
the PQM Status tab because the Status tab
indicates the date/time the thresholds were
exceeded but does not include the
qualification time.
Test No. Indicates the number of the PQM test (1–12).
Test Name Indicates the name of the test. See “PQM Tests” on
page 388.
Status Indicates whether the specific event was one of the
following:
• Start - testing exceeds test thresholds and
qualification time
• Stop - testing falls within test thresholds
Metercat
Item Description
Optional Value (dependent on test type)
1. Service Voltage Test No value shown.
2. Low Voltage Test Indicates the voltage at the time the qualification
time is exceeded for Phase A (even if it is phase B or
C that actually caused the test to fail).
3. High Voltage Test Same as Low Voltage Test.
4. Reverse Power Test & PF No value shown.
5. Low Current Test No value shown.
6. Power Factor Test No value shown.
7. Second Harmonic Current Test Indicates second harmonic current magnitude for
Phase A (even if it is phase B or C that actually
caused the test to fail).
8. Total Harmonic Distortion Indicates current % Total Harmonic Distortion for
Current Test Phase A (even if it is phase B or C that actually
caused test to fail).
9. Total Harmonic Distortion Indicates phase A voltage % Total Harmonic
Voltage Test Distortion for Phase A (even if it is phase B or C that
actually caused test to fail).
10. Voltage Imbalance Test No value shown.
11. Current Imbalance Test No value shown.
12. Total Demand Distortion Test Indicates phase A % Total Demand Distortion (even if
it is phase B or C that actually caused test to fail).
Metercat
The Sag Log tab displays the following information:
Item Description
Seq. No. Indicates the order in which the sag events occurred.
Date/Time Indicates the date and time the sag event occurred.
Note: This applies to TOU meters only.
Event Indicates the details of the sag event.
PQM/Sag Status view

The PQM/Sag Status view displays the status data for PQM tests (PQM Status tab) and for
voltage sags (Sag Status tab) for the current billing period.
Note: If the connected meter does not support PQM, the respective tabs will state “No
data available.”
Metercat
The PQM Status tab displays the following information:
Item Description
Test No. Indicates the number of the test (1–12).
Test Name Indicates the name of the test. See “PQM Tests” on page
388.
Cumulative Count Indicates the total number of times the specific PQM test
failed.
Cumulative Failure Time Indicates the total amount of time that the specific PQM test
failed.
Note: Cumulative Failure Time does not include the time
for an event that is currently in progress.
Metercat
Item Description
In Progress Note: This item applies only to test thresholds.
Qualification time are not a factor.
Indicates one of the following:
• For both demand and TOU meters: No if the test is
currently within set thresholds
• For demand-only meters: Yes (test thresholds are
currently exceeded)
• For TOU meters: the date/time the specific test
thresholds were first exceeded.
Note: The date/time of the PQM test failure will be different
from the date/time that appears on the PQM Log tab
because the Log tab indicates the date/time that
both the thresholds and the qualification time were
exceeded.
Note: A test event can be In Progress but the event will not
be logged until the qualification time has been
exceeded.
The Sag Status tab displays the following information:
• Cumulative Voltage Sag Count - indicates the total number of times there was a
qualifying sag event for each phase
• Cumulative Voltage Sag Duration (sec) - Indicates the total amount of time there
was a qualifying sag event for each phase
• Events with duration less than minimum sag time - indicates the total number of
times there was a sag event that lasted less than the configured minimum sag
duration
Metercat
• Events with duration greater than maximum sag time - indicates the total number
of times there was a sag event that lasted longer than the configured maximum sag
duration
Note: The two Events with duration items only appear for A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA
meters with firmware version 3 and greater.
Previous Billing view

The Previous Billing view displays the billing data for the previous billing period. The view
also indicates the date and time of the last demand reset.
The table below details the information provided by the Previous Billing view
Item Description
Date/Time of the Last The date and time of the last demand reset.
Demand Reset
Metercat
Item Description
date/time values. This indicates that the particular rate is
not used or the rate is used but a value has not been
recorded.
Previous Season view

The Previous Season view displays the meter’s energy quantity measurements for the
previous season. The view also indicates the date and time of the last season change.
meter type.”
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Previous Season view
Item Description
Date/Time of the Last The date and time of the last season change.
Season Change
column) and the peak demand for all rates (second
column).
Rates Indicates the value for the configured metered quantities
(for example, kWh-Del, kVARh(Q2+Q3), PF kWh-Del,
Coincident values, etc.) as well as the values for Maximum
Demand and Cumulative Demand. See “Quantities view”
on page 251 for details on the meter’s configured
quantities.
Note: Some rows may have values of 0.000000 and have
no date/time values. This indicates that the
particular rate is not used or the rate is used but a
value has not been recorded by the meter.
recorded.
Quantities view
The Quantities view displays the meter’s quantities configuration. See “Quantities
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Quantities view.
Item Description
Metering Quantities selected Indicates those quantities the meter is
programmed to collect.
Configure for the Advanced Metering Indicates the meter is configured for additional
Option metering quantities, power factors, and
Coincident measurements.
Note: Advanced metering (-A) is only available
for meters with this capability.
Apply Load Control and Overload Indicates whether the meter is programmed to
Thresholds apply load control or overload thresholds to the
indicated quantity (enabled/disabled).
Power Factor calculation settings Indicates those quantities the meter uses to
calculate average power factor.
Coincident measurement settings Indicates those quantities the meter uses to
collect coincident quantity values.
Relay Options view

The Relay Options view displays the meter’s relay configuration. See “Relay Options
Note: Depending on your System Preferences and the connected meter’s firmware
version (3.x or higher), you will see either KYZ Divisor or KYZ Value in the Relay
Options view.
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Relay Options view.
Item Description
Relay Driver Indicates the source for the meter’s relay output.
KYZ Source Indicates the source for the relay activation (kWh
Del or Rec, kVAh Del or Rec, kVARh Del or Rec,
kVARh Q1, Q2, Q3 or Q4 depending on meter
type).
KYZ Divisor / KYZ Value Indicates either the:
Note: The KYZ Value is enabled in • KYZ Output Divisor (KYZ Divisor) (integer in the
System Preferences. See range of 1 to 999)
“Setting programming • KYZ Value (number in the range of 0.000001
options” on page 49 for to 100.000000)
details.
Wiring Diagrams Displays diagrams of the various relay wiring
configurations.
Inhibit KYZ Outputs During Test Mode Indicates whether the KYZ output is inhibited
during test mode (enabled/disabled).
KYZ Relay Activation Type Indicates whether the meter’s KYZ relay
transition is activated by a toggle or pulse and
the pulse width (in milliseconds; range of 1 to
255).
Metercat
Remote view
The Remote view displays the meter’s remote communication configuration. See “Remote
The Remote view is composed of the following tabs:
• Modem tab
• Answer tab
• Billing tab
• Alarms tab
• Restoration tab
• Outage Modem tab
Modem tab
The table below details the information provided by the Modem tab.
Item Description
Modem Init String Indicates the modem’s currently programmed
modem initialization string (default is
&F&C0E0Q0).
Call Window settings Indicates the modem’s currently programmed
call windows settings (date/time).
Metercat
Item Description
Security Call Back setting Indicates whether the modem is programmed
to perform security call backs (enabled/
disabled).
Intrusion Detection setting Indicates whether the modem is programmed
to it attempts to dial out, can detect when the
phone line is busy or, during a communication
session, can detect when someone (or
another device) picks up an extension. The
modem will hang up to free the telephone line
(enabled/disabled).
Line Sharing setting Indicates whether the modem is programmed
to share the communication line with other
devices (such as the ILC1).
Initial Dialing Delay setting Indicates the modem’s currently programmed
dialing delay (within the range of 0 to 255
minutes; default is 10 minutes).
Retry Delay settings (min and max) Indicates the minimum and maximum times
the modem is permitted to retry dialing.
Dialing mode Indicates dialing mode:
• tone
• pulse
Modem Bit Rates (min and max) • Minimum bit rate for initializing the modem
• Maximum bit rate for the serial port to
which the modem is attached.
Inactivity Timeout settings Indicates whether the modem is programmed
to timeout when it is inactive:
• Never Timeout
• Timeout value (within the range of 1 to 255
minutes; default is 10 minutes)
Advanced settings: Indicates whether the modem can or cannot
perform:
• Enable Large Timeouts
• Sportster Delay
• Turnaround Delay setting (in seconds)
• Charge Up Delay setting (in seconds)
• Escape Sequence Inter-character Delay (in
seconds)
Answer tab
The table below details the information provided by the Answer tab.
Item Description
Enable Answering Indicates whether the modem is allowed to
answer telephone calls (enabled/disabled).
Answer window settings (Answer Indicates the times of day that the modem is
anytime, start and stop times) programmed to answer the phone.
Number of rings before answering Indicates the number of rings the modem is
programmed to wait before picking up.
Metercat
Billing tab
The table below details the information provided by the Billing tab.
Item Description
Enable Billing Calling Indicates whether the modem is configured to
make billing telephone calls (enabled/disabled).
Billing phone number Indicates the telephone number the modem uses
to make billing telephone calls.
Note: The internal modem only accepts the
following characters: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, A, B, C, D, ‘;’, ’/’, ‘#’, ‘*’, and ‘,’. All other
characters are removed from the phone
number during meter programming.
Billing Call Schedule Indicates whether the modem uses a call schedule
(enabled/disabled).
Call Schedule settings If the meter uses a call schedule, indicates the
modem’s schedule for making the billing
telephone calls.
Enable call origination windows Indicates whether the modem is configured to use
call windows.
Number of retries Indicates the number of times the modem is
allowed to attempt billing telephone calls.
Alarms tab
The table below details the information provided by the Alarms tab.
Item Description
Enable Alarm Calling Indicates whether the modem is configured to
make alarm telephone calls (enabled/disabled).
Alarm phone number Indicates the telephone number the modem uses
to make alarm telephone calls.
Errors, Warnings, Events trigger Indicates those errors, warnings, or events that
settings will trigger an alarm telephone call. See Appendix
E, “Meter Events, Errors & Warnings” for details.
call windows.
allowed to attempt alarm telephone calls.
Restoration tab
The table below details the information provided by the Restoration tab.
Item Description
Enable Restoration Calling Indicates whether the modem is configured to
make power restoration telephone calls (enabled/
disabled).
Metercat
Item Description
Restoration phone number Indicates the telephone number the modem uses
to make power restoration telephone calls.
call windows.
allowed to attempt power restoration telephone
calls.
Outage Modem tab

The table below details the information provided by the Outage Modem tab.
Item Description
Enable Outage Calling Indicates whether the modem is configured to
make power outage telephone calls (enabled/
disabled).
Outage phone number Indicates the telephone number the modem uses
to make power outage telephone calls.
Outage call Settings (in sec):
• Max. off hook wait time - the number of
seconds the modem is configured to wait for
the call to be answered
• Min. time to trigger call - the minimum number
of seconds the modem is configured to wait
prior to initiating the outage call; any outage
exceeding this time causes a call to be placed.
• Min. time to reset Outage Detection
• Outage call bit rate (bps)
• Max. dialing delay - maximum number of
seconds the modem is configured to wait prior
to initiating an outage call (charge up delay)
• Min. retry interval - minimum number of
seconds the modem is configured to wait
between redialing attempts
allowed to attempt power outage telephone calls.
Self Reads view

The Self Reads view displays data for up to 15 of the A3 ALPHA meter’s last self reads or up
to 35 of the A1800 ALPHA meter’s last self reads. The readings are displayed sequentially
with the most recent self read first. See “Logs component” on page 383 for details.
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Self Read viewset:
Item Description
Season Indicates the season that was active when the self read
occurred.
Date/Time of Self Read Indicates the date and time the self read occurred.
date/time values. This indicates that the particular rate
is not used or the rate is used but a value has not been
Date/Time Indicates the date and time the values was recorded.
Service Test view

The Service Test view displays the meter’s service test configuration. See “Service Test
The Service Test view includes the following tabs:

Metercat
• Basic Settings tab

• Advanced Settings - Current tab
• Advanced Settings - Voltage tab
Basic Settings tab
The table below details the information provided by the Basic Settings tab.
Item Description
Portable ALPHA application Indicates if this is a portable ALPHA meter
service test.
Phase Indicator Threshold Indicates the meter’s current threshold as a
percentage of the nominal.
Service Voltage Tolerance Indicates the meter’s current tolerance settings
as a percentage of the nominal.
Rotation Test Indicates the rotation tests the meter performs:
• Both
• ABC only
• CBA only
Service Test Mode Lock Indicates the method the meter uses to lock
service:
• Smart Auto Lock
• Manual
• None
Metercat
Item Description
Current Test after Powerup Voltage Indicates whether the meter is set to run a
Test current test after powerup voltage test
(enabled/disabled).
Advanced Settings - Current tab
Note: In the case of CBA rotation, the thresholds are reversed, that is, the min Lagging PF
value is used as the threshold for leading power factors and the min Leading PF is
used as the threshold for lagging power factors.
The table below details the information provided by the Advanced Settings – Current tab.
Item Description
Meter Configuration Indicates the meter’s configuration.
Service information Details the services defined for the selected meter
configuration.
For each selected Service:
Current settings for selected Indicates whether the meter uses the default
configuration values set on the Basic Settings subtab. If the meter
is not using the default values, values other that
default are specified.
Trigger Warning settings Indicates conditions and phases that will trigger
warnings.
Metercat
Advanced Settings - Voltage tab
The table below details the information provided by the Advanced Settings – Voltage tab.
Item Description
For each selected Service:
Phase Voltage percentages Indicates the expected Phase Voltage
Percentages (for ABC rotation) based on the
selected Service
Voltage Phase Angles Indicates the expected Voltage Phase Angles
(for ABC rotation) based on the selected Service
Recognized Nominal Service Voltage Indicates the nominal voltages recognized by the
settings meter.
Special Dates view

The Special Dates view displays the meter’s special dates settings. See “Special Dates
A check in the Self Read or the Demand Reset columns indicates that on that particular
date the meter will perform a self read or a demand reset.
meter type.”
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Special Dates – Recurring Dates
and Nonrecurring Dates tabs:
Item Description
Enforce minimum of days between Indicates whether the meter is forced to perform
demand resets a demand reset if <x> days have elapsed
without a demand reset.
End of calendar warning Indicates whether the meter generates a
warning <x> days before the end of the
Nonrecurring dates calendar (up to a maximum
of 999) before the last nonrecurring date defined
in the special dates list.
Month/Day Indicates the date of action.
Date
Calendar Action Indicates one of the following calendar events:
holiday, season change or begin or end daylight
saving time.
When Indicates when in relation to the date that the
action occurs.
Self Read Indicates whether the meter performs a self read
on this date.
Demand Reset Indicates whether the meter performs a demand
reset on this date.
Metercat
Special Dates Pending view

The Special Dates Pending view displays special dates configuration changes that will take
affect on the indicated Effective Date after the execution of a Replace Rates and Dates task
that replaced the Special Dates component (see “Replace Rates and Dates task” on page
136).
Note: If the connected meter is configured as a single rate demand meter (A3D), you will
see the following message, “Feature is not supported for this meter type.”
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Special Dates Pending view.
Item Description
End of calendar warning Indicates whether the meter generates a warning
<x> days before the end of the Nonrecurring dates
calendar (up to a maximum of 999) before the last
nonrecurring date defined in the special dates list.
Perform a Self Read indicates whether the meter will perform a self
read on the effective date that the new special
dates settings go into effect
Perform a Demand Reset indicates whether the meter will perform a
demand reset on the effective date that the new
special dates settings go into effect
Effective Date the date the new special dates setting takes effect
Recurring Dates lists all recurring dates programmed into the
meter.
Nonrecurring Dates lists all nonrecurring dates programmed into the
meter.
Metercat
Special Features view

The Special Features view displays the meter’s special features settings. See “Special
Features component” on page 441 for details.
Metercat
The Special Features view includes the following settings:
• Demand Reset Lockout Time - indicates the meter will not allow a demand reset to
occur within the specified time range (0 to 255 minutes) after a demand reset has
already been performed.
• Perform a Self Reads on Demand Reset - indicates the meter will perform a self
read when it performs a demand reset
Special Option Board view

The Special Option Board view displays the meter’s special option board’s configuration
information including manufacturer-specific information. Metercat supports the following
special option boards:
• Intron’s 50ESS ERT

• Elster Advanced Communications Board (ACB)
Metercat
Note: For the 50ESS ERT, the Special Option Board view will only display the first 16
characters of the Special Option Board component name (that is, Metercat
Component ID).
See “Special Option Board component” on page 442 for additional information.
Status view
The Status view contains the following subtabs:
General details the meter’s manufacturer, type, hardware/firmware

version, option boards, etc.
Identification details the meter’s serial number, account, program ID, etc.
Conditions details the meter’s current mode (whether alternate, test, or

normal), any Events, Warnings, and Errors recorded, etc.
Metercat
Security details the date/time of the last table write for each port, outage
information, and reset information.
Time details the date/times of the reading, in the meter, daylight

savings time status, current tier, current season, etc.
Factory Codes details factory default data - for example, Ke, Kh, P/R and the
factory-entered serial number.
EnergyAxis Option details settings for A3 ALPHA meters with either the ILC1 or the ILN1
option board
General tab
The table below details the information provided by the General tab.
Item Description
Manufacturer The manufacturer of the meter.
Model First group of characters of the meter type that
define the basic measurement (for example, A3D,
A1800D, etc.).
Metercat
Item Description
Original Style No. (from meter Style number of meter as originally built by
manufacturing) manufacturer.
Note: This style number will not reflect any
hardware changes (for example, added
option boards) or Alpha key changes made
subsequent to the original manufacture
date.
Main EEPROM Memory (kB) The amount of memory (in KB) available for
“shared memory” in the meter; all A3 ALPHA and
A1800 ALPHA meters are equipped with EEPROM
on the main meter board (64 K [standard] or 128 K
[optional1]).
Note: A small amount of memory is reserved by
the meter to store main billing data and
configuration data. The remainder
contributes to shared memory. This value
may vary slightly among different firmware
versions.
Extended Memory (kB) If an extended memory option board is present in
the meter, the amount of memory (in KB).
Reading Reason Manual; indicates that the current reading was
obtained using an optical probe and Metercat.
Option Boards (description and Listing of installed option boards.
ver.)
Hardware Version The hardware version and revision of the meter.
Firmware Version The firmware version/revision of the meter.
Firmware S-Spec. Additional manufacturer information that defines
the product family.
DSP Version Meter chip revision code.
SM Version Factory code indicating the version/revision of the
measurement sources.
PQM Version Factory code indicating the version/revision of the
PQM configuration.
Alpha Keys settings Indicates the status of all Alpha Keys:
(Basic Load Profiling, • Enabled - meter functionality has been
Instrumentation Profiling, PQM, unlocked and is accessible
Advanced Metering, Time • Disabled - this function has not been purchased
Keeping, Time of Use, Loss
Compensation)
Date of Last Key Change Indicates the date and time the meter was
upgraded using Alpha Keys
Reader Notes Includes comments entered by the user during the
execution of the reading task.
1. EEPROM must be specified at time of original manufacture.

Metercat
Identification tab
The table below details the information provided by the Identification tab.
Item Description
ID #2 User programmed value for ID #2 in the
meter (usually Meter ID)
ID #1 User programmed value for ID #1 in the meter
(usually Account)
Utility Serial No. Utility-specified identifier configured at the
time of meter manufacture; if no special
requests were made at the time of
manufacture, this number will be equal to the
manufacturer serial number.
Device IDs (ports 1 and 2) The remote device ID number for each port;
should be “1” for all applications where the
com port has a dedicated communications
link; greater than “1” only in applications
where multiple meters share a common
communications link (for example, a modem
sharing unit).
Program No. The ID number of the program currently active
in the meter
Programmer No. Metercat ID number for the person who
programmed the meter.
Metercat
Item Description
Program Function Displays DEMAND or TOU, indicating the
program type in the meter.
Custom Display Strings 1 & 2 User configured strings (of up to 6 characters).
See “Properties tab” on page 353.
UDT Configuration Identifies the factory set configuration values
for the user defined tables (UDT)
C12.19 Rev. Version of ANSI C12.19 “Utility Industry End
Device Data Tables” supported by the meter.
Conditions tab
The table below details the information provided by the Conditions tab.
Item Description
Mode Either Normal, Alternate or Test; the current
operating mode of the meter.
Metercat
Item Description
Service Indicates the service on which the meter is
locked; the valid service of the meter; value
reads as follows: “unlocked” or “locked, xxxV
1P” (for single phase service) or "locked, xxxV
yW zzzz (for polyphase service) where xxx is
a number indicating nominal service voltage,
y is either 3 or 4 indicating the service
definition (number of wires), and zzzz is
either Delta or Wye.
Line Frequency Rated line frequency (Hz) for this meter.
Avg. PQM Update1 The average time (in seconds) it takes to

make a complete loop through the PQM
present values.
Avg. Present Value Update1 The average time (in seconds) it takes to
make a complete loop through the PQM
present values.
Display locked by warning Indicates whether the meter’s display is
currently locked by a warning (Yes or No).
Modem Initialized Indicates whether a modem has been
initialized for remote communication
IP Set 1 Avg. Samples/Interval1 Interval length for the data set (in seconds)
divided by the Present Value Update rate.
IP Set 2 Avg Samples/Interval1 Interval length for the data set (in seconds)
divided by the Present Value Update rate.
Activated Event Flags: Indicates events, warnings, and errors
• Events currently active in the meter or that have
• Warnings occurred sometime in the past (preceded by
• Errors historical). Refer to Appendix E, “Meter
Events, Errors & Warnings” for details.
Pending Replacements Indicates components/modules schedule to
be replaced at a future date. See “Replace
Program task” on page 132.
the following apply only to A3 ALPHA meters:
ICM Over-temperature Events Indicates the number of over-temperature
events that caused the ICM to shut down.
ICM Calls Aborted by Over-temperature Indicates the number of calls that did not
occur due to over-temperature events.
1. Applies to A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters firmware version 3 or greater.

Metercat
Security tab
Note: Date/time items apply only to meters with timekeeping capabilities.

The table below details the information provided by the Security tab.
Item Description
Port 1 (modem only) / Port 2 (optical port and/or modem)
Note: Port 2 values also include values for the optical port.
Program Change Date Date and time of the last table write on using
indicated port.
Invalid Password Number of invalid password attempts since the last
manual (using push button or communication)
demand reset.
Sessions with Write Number of communication sessions on indicated
port that involved at least one table write.
Total No. of Resets Total number of demand resets performed by push
button or by execution of a Reset Demand task or by
a calendar event (Special Dates component). This
value is reset to zero by executing a Clear Data task
task.
Metercat
Item Description
Last Reset Trigger Cause of the last demand reset:
• None - No reset has occurred
• Button press - Last demand reset was triggered
by a push of the reset button.
• Communication - Last demand reset was
triggered by a communication procedure (either
optically or using one of the remote COM ports)
• Calendar - Last demand reset was triggered by a
scheduled entry in the meter calendar.
• Max days since last reset - Last demand reset
was triggered because the days since a demand
reset exceeded the user configured maximum
days between demand reset as specified in the
Special Dates component.
Days Since Last Reset Number of days (midnight transitions) since the last
demand reset
Date of Last Reset Date when demand was last reset by push button,
by the use of Reset Demand task or by a calendar
event (Special Dates component). Date is cleared by
Clear Data task task.
Days Since Last Pulse Number of days (midnight transitions) since the last
kilowatt-hour pulse
Date of Last Programming Date and time the meter’s program was changed
using one of the following:
• Program task
• Replace PQM task
• Replace Program task
• Replace Rates and Dates task
• Replace Remote task
Note: For non-timekeeping meters programmed
with earlier releases of Metercat, the date/
time entry may not indicate the correct date/
time.
Last Outage Start (date/time) Lists the date and time of the beginning of the last
power outage.
Last Outage End (date/time) Lists the date and the time of the end of the last
power outage.
Number of Power Outages Total number of power outages since programming
or since Clear Data task task was performed.
Power Outage Time Cumulative power outage time. Serves as a TOU
battery log
Note: This field is not reset when the meter is
programmed. This field is only cleared by the
Clear Battery Log task task.
Data Edited Indicates whether the meter’s register has been
edited (Yes) or not (No) using the Register Edit task
task.
Note: This flag can only be cleared by
reprogramming the meter.
Metercat
Time tab
Note: Date/time items apply only to meters with timekeeping capabilities.

The table below details the information provided by the Time tab.
Item Description
Date/Time of Reading The Metercat PC’s local date/time
Meter Date/Time The meter’s local date/time
Day of the Week The meter’s current day of the week. (Not for
demand only meters.)
Holiday Indicates whether current day is considered a
holiday by the meter: Yes or No. (Not for
demand only meters.)
DST Status (On/Off) Indicates whether the meter is currently in
Daylight Saving Time.
Rate The TOU Rate (A, B, C, or D) currently in use.
(Not for demand only meters)
Season The meter’s current season (Not for demand
only meters)
Meter Time when Time Change Meter date/time before the most recent time
Requested change.
Meter Time after Time Change Meter date/time after the most recent time
Requested change.
Metercat
Item Description
Clock Source The timing source for the meter:
• Line - (default) meter will use the line
frequency for timekeeping
• Crystal - meter will use internal crystal for
timekeeping
Future Replace Date Indicates the date and time that a new Rate
and/or Dates component takes effect in the
meter (see “Replace Rates and Dates task” on
page 136)
Factory Codes tab
The table below details the information provided by the Factory Codes tab.
Item Description
Ke Factory default watt-hours per meter pulse.
Kh Factory default watt-hours per equivalent meter disk
revolution.
P/R Factory default pulses per equivalent disk revolution.
Serial No. Manufacturer’s factory serial number
Factory Codes: Note: If you experience problems with a meter you
Configuration errors may be asked to report these codes to Elster
Customer Support.
Metercat
Item Description
CRC errors Note: If you experience problems with a meter you
may be asked to report these codes to Elster
Customer Support.
EnergyAxis Option tab

The EnergyAxis® Option tab displays the information from an A3 ALPHA meter/collector
[with the ILC1 (internal LAN controller) and ITM3 (internal telephone modem) option boards]
or an A3 ALPHA meter node [with the ILN1 (internal LAN node option board)].
The table below describes the collector information detailed by the EnergyAxis Option tab.
See “Node Status” on page 280 for details on the node status information.
Collector Status
Item Description
LAN Controller Status
Hardware Version Identifies the hardware version of the ILC1 (internal
LAN controller).
LAN ID The complete LAN ID of the collector; the last five digits
of the ID also appear on the meter nameplate.
Firmware Version Indicates the firmware version in the ILC1.
Metercat
Item Description
Utility ID The identifier used within the LAN to ensure that if
there are two different utilities with meters in the same
area, the meters will only talk to those meters with the
same utility ID.
Firmware S-Spec Additional manufacturer information that defines the
product family.
Used Shared Memory Indicates the ILC1 memory space that has been used
to control the LAN activity, including reading of the
nodes, LAN errors, events, etc.
LAN Node Type Indicates whether the meter is functioning as one of
the following:
• RF Collector - always true for a collector
• RF Node - see “Node Status” on page 280
Available Shared Memory Indicates the total memory space available on the ILC1
board. This memory is used solely to control the LAN
activity, including reading of the nodes, LAN errors,
events, etc.
Errors Lists the errors that occurred on the ILC1 option board.
See “A3 ALPHA Meter with ILC1 or ILN1 Errors” on page
489 for details on error messages associated with the
ILC1.
LAN Status
Registered Nodes Indicates the number of meters that are registered to
the meter/collector.
Repeaters Indicates the number of meters functioning as
repeaters (that is, data relay points) registered to the
meter/collector.
Metercat
Item Description
Event List Lists those events that can occur on the LAN. All the
possible events are listed with their start time and stop
time (if applicable):
• Meter Read - the last date and time that the
collector read its registered REX meters
• Profile Read - the last date and time that the
collector read profile data from its registered REX
meters
• Time Broadcast - the last date and time that the
collector broadcast the time to the LAN
• Node Scan - the last date and time that the
collector performed a full node scan; full node
scans are performed at collector startup and on a
scheduled basis (default, 1:00 and every 4 hours
afterward)
• Partial Node Scan - the last date and time that the
collector performed a partial node scan; partial
node scans are performed on demand when the
collector hears a time request from an unregistered
node or a node scan request from a registered
node that heard an unregistered node while it is
not currently doing a node scan
• Brute Force Node Read - the date and time of the
last brute force node read; executed every hour
and looks for meters with read times older then a
certain value (default 12 hours) and forces a read
with an increased number of immediate retries for
those meters
• Clear All Nodes Status - the last date and time the
Clear All Nodes Status function was executed by
EnergyAxis Metering Automation Server to reset
communications statistics for all meters in the LAN
(clears the total read attempts and total read
successes from a node)
Note: Event times are precise to the minute.
Metercat
The table below describes the node information detailed by the EnergyAxis Option tab. See
“Collector Status” on page 277 for details on the collector status information.
Node Status
Item Description
Hardware Version Identifies the hardware version of the ILN1 (internal
LAN node).
LAN ID The complete LAN ID of the node; the last five digits of
the ID also appear on the meter nameplate.
Firmware Version Indicates the firmware version in the ILN1.
Utility ID The identifier used within the LAN to ensure that if
there are two different utilities with meters in the same
area, the meters will only talk to those meters with the
same utility ID.
Firmware S-Spec Additional manufacturer information that defines the
product family.
Used Shared Memory Indicates the ILN1 memory space that has been used
to control the LAN activity, including reading of the
nodes, LAN errors, events, etc.
Metercat
Item Description
LAN Node Type Indicates whether the meter is functioning as one of
the following:
• RF Node - always true for a node
• RF Collector - see “Collector Status” on page 277
Available Shared Memory Indicates the total memory space available on the ILN1
board. This memory is used solely to control the LAN
activity, including reading of the nodes, LAN errors,
events, etc.
Errors Lists the errors that occurred on the ILN1 option board.
See “A3 ALPHA Meter with ILC1 or ILN1 Errors” on page
489 for details on error messages associated with the
ILN1.
Switch Times view

The Switch Times view displays the meter’s rates switch times configuration and a counter
for the number of switch times configured in the meter. See “Switch Times component” on
Note: A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters with firmware version 2.0 or later will include
the Default Rate setting in the Switch Times view.
meter type.”
Metercat
Switch Times Pending view

The Switch Times Pending view displays the switch time configuration changes that will
take affect on the indicated Effective Date after the execution of a Replace Rates and
Dates task that replaced the Rates component (see “Replace Rates and Dates task” on
page 136).
meter type.”
See “Switch Times view” on page 281 for additional details.
Metercat
The table below details the information provided by the Switch Times Pending view.
Item Description
Perform a Self Read indicates whether the meter will perform a self read on
the effective date that the new switch times settings take
effect
Perform a Demand Reset indicates whether the meter will perform a demand
reset on the effective date that the new switch times
settings take effect
Effective Date the date the new switch times settings take effect
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 284 12. Managing the Phone Book
12Managing the Phone Book
This chapter provides information on:
• Viewing the phone book

• Sorting the phone book
• Adding a new phone book entry
• Changing a phone book entry
• Deleting a phone book entry
Viewing the phone book

Metercat allows you to manage the various phone numbers for meters communicating
using modems in a Phone Book.
To view the Phone Book:
1. From the Tools menu, select Phone Book.

Metercat displays the Phone Book dialog.
The table below describes the various fields and buttons on the Phone Book dialog:
Item Description
New allows you to create a new phone book entry
Edit allows you to change an existing phone book entry
Delete allows you to delete an existing phone book entry
Create Report allows you to print a report of the phone book contents.
Close closes the Phone Book management dialog and returns
you to the main window
Help displays context sensitive Help
Metercat
Customizing the phone book

Metercat allows you to move and group data columns in the phone book table.
Moving a column
To move a column:
1. Select the desired column header.

2. Drag-and-drop the column header to the desired location in the table.
Note: Green arrows appear to show you where the column will be inserted.
Grouping phone book entries

To group the phone book table by a data column:
1. Select the desired column header you wish to group (for example, by Group).
2. Drag–and–drop the selected header to the reserved area above the table.
3. Click to expand the grouping to view the entries.
Sorting the phone book

To sort the phone book table by a data column:
Metercat
• Click the desired column header you wish to sort the table by.
The system sorts the table based upon the selected column.
• Click the column header a second time to reverse the displayed order.
Adding a new phone book entry

To add a new phone book entry:

Metercat displays the Phone Book dialog
2. Click New > select the connection type either Modem or TCP/IP.
Metercat displays the Edit New Installation dialog.
Metercat
3. Enter the Name (30 characters maximum) you wish to use for the phone book entry.
4. Check if this is a Multiple Meter Installation (MM) (default is unchecked).
Note: If Multiple Meter Installation is checked, you must enter the Device ID at
communications time. See “Program task” on page 122 or “Replace Remote task”
on page 139 for details on setting the Device ID.
5. To permit sorting phone book entries by group, select the appropriate Group or type
in a new Group name (may be left blank).
6. Enter the Phone Number (for modem) or IP Address (for TCP/IP).
7. If using TCP/IP, enter the IP Port number.
8. Click Advanced to override the current settings.
The system expands the Phone Book Installation Details dialog to show override
parameters. These settings will override the settings specified in the connection
definition (see “Adding a new connection” on page 161 for details).
Metercat
9. For modem connections:

a. Check to override the Modem Init String: enter the new modem init string.
b. Check to override the Dialing String: select the appropriate string from the drop
list ATDT for tone or ATDP for pulse dialing.
c. Check to override the Dialing Timeout (range of10 to 255 seconds).
d. Check to override Speed; select the speed from the drop list (300, 600, 1200,
2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, 28800, 38400, 57600, or 115200).
10.Check to override Packet Size; enter the packet size desired (range of 64 to 8192).
11. Check to override Packet Retries; enter the number of retries desired (range of 1 to
20).
12.Click OK to save the new entry and return to the Phone Book dialog or click Cancel to
return to the Phone Book dialog without saving the new entry.
Changing a phone book entry

To change an existing phone book entry:

Metercat displays the Phone Book dialog
2. Select the appropriate entry from the displayed list.
3. Click Edit.
Metercat displays the Phone Book Installation Details dialog with the settings of the
selected entry.
Metercat
4. Change the appropriate parameters.

5. Click Advanced to override the current modem settings.
6. Click OK to save your changes and return to the Phone Book dialog or click Cancel to
return to the Phone Book dialog without saving your changes.
Printing the phone book contents

To create and print a report of the phone book contents:

2. Click Create Report.
Metercat creates and displays a report of the phone book contents.
Metercat
3. To print the report, from the File menu, select Print.

When you close the report the Phone Book dialog also closes.
Deleting a phone book entry
Note: Phone book groups cannot be deleted.

To delete an existing phone book entry:

2. Select the appropriate entry from the displayed list.
Note: Only individual entries can be deleted. Groups cannot be deleted.
3. Click Delete.
The system prompts you to confirm that you wish to delete the selected entry.
4. Click Yes to delete the selected entry or click No to cancel the command.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 291 13. Programming a meter
13Programming a meter
Programming a meter involves the execution of a function that includes a Program task on
a connected meter.
Before you begin

Before you can program a meter you must:
1. Create a program as described in “Creating a new program” on page 333.

2. Create a function with a Program task as an Included Task and configured to use
the program created in step 1 as described in “Building a function” on page 77.
Note: You can assign a function shortcut to the function as described in “Assigning
function shortcuts” on page 29.
5. Execute the created function as described in “Programming a meter” on page 291.
Programming a meter
A program is developed for a family and type of meter and can contain variables, features,
or functions that do not apply to a given meter within the family or type.
When you send a program to a meter, only those variables, features and functions that
apply to that specific meter will be downloaded. For example, if you attempt to send a
program that contains load profile-specific instructions to a meter that is not capable of
handling load profile data, the meter will accept the program, but the Function Completion
Report will inform you that the load profile programming was omitted.
If however, you attempt to access advanced metering capabilities in the program that the
connected meter does not support, the program will not be accepted.
password access level.
Note: When programming an A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA meter with Itron’s 50ESS ERT,
the special option board configuration will take effect either after the ERT polls the
meter for changes (that is, once every 5 minutes) or immediately after removing/
restoring power to the meter.
To program a connected meter:

Metercat
2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Program task.
— Or —
example, A3T - 002 - TOU, LP Program.
3. If the selected function contains a Billing or Diagnostic Read task, select the
Viewset from the drop list.
After clicking Go, the button changes to Cancel.
Clicking Cancel during function execution stops all meter communication; the
progress indicator displays ‘canceling’ message while the command is processed.
5. After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter.
The area on the far right of the connection toolbar indicates the progress of the tasks
and any errors that occur during the execution.
6. After the meter is identified and if the Program task settings include Prompt, a dialog
displays for you to enter run time settings.
Note: The meter family (A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA) and type (D/T/Q/K/R) of the
connected meter is used to filter the list of programs displayed in the Program ID
drop list. Furthermore, the list is filtered to display programs that are available to
the user’s logged on group.
Note: A dialog will appear for each task in the function.
See “Overriding program values using the Program task” on page 295 for
information on overriding the various optional components.
For those program task parameters which are specified in the program task as
Metercat
Prompt (see “Program task” on page 122) you may change the following:
• Program ID • Service Test component

• ID #1 (Account:) • PQM component
• ID #2 (Meter ID:) • Instrumentation Profiling component
• Time Zone • Remote component
• Constants (Metering Application, • Disable Remote Communication
Register Multiplier or Adjusted Kh) • Device IDs for Ports 1 and/or 2
• Overload • Call Origination Date & Time (for
• KYZ Divisor or KYZ Value1 device ID)
1. Depending on your System Preference settings. See “Setting programming

options” on page 49 for more information.
Note: If KYZ Value is enabled (System Preferences > Programming Options) and the
connected meter is firmware 3.01 or later, you will see the KYZ Value drop list in
place of KYZ Divisor.
Note: If Adjusted Kh is enabled (System Preferences > Programming Options), you will set
Adjusted Kh (and not Register Multiplier).
Note: Leaving Account and Meter ID (ID 1 and ID 2) empty will clear the existing Account
and Meter ID in the meter. Use the Register Edit task to update the Account and
Meter ID.
Note: Call Origination Date & Times are enabled only if the Remote component > Billing
is configured to Specify a Single Date and time at Program Time. Enter the date (in
MM/DD/YYYY format) and time (in 24-hour HH:mm format).
Metercat
7. After you have entered all run time data, the tasks are processed in their execution
order (see “Changing the task execution order” on page 82).
Note: A progress indicator appears to the right of the Viewset drop-list on the connection
toolbar.
After the function has completed, the Program Completion Report displays.
Note: If you have selected to use Adjusted Kh (System Preferences > Programming
Options), the Program Completion Report will display the specified Adjusted Kh and
the calculated Register Multiplier values.
Sample Program Completion Report

"Program" Completion Report
User: Administrator
System Time: 4/13/2005 5:09:18 PM
System Time Zone: (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Account: 9876543210
Meter ID: , <Factory Serial Num>
Program Task
Task succeeded.
Program ID: A3K - 888 - TOU, LP
Meter Time Zone: (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada), <System
Setting>
Custom Display String 1: 123456
Custom Display String 2: 654321
Factory Ke: 0.075
Adjusted Ke: 0.1
Metering Application: Secondary
CT: 1.0000
VT: 1.0000
Register Multiplier: 0.75
Metercat
Adjusted Kh: 2.4

Special Dates: Expired nonrecurring dates are not programmed.
Special Dates: 73 nonrecurring dates programmed. Last date programmed
is: 4/2/2029
KYZ Divisor: 1
Service Test Component: <Program Value>
PQM Component: <Do Not Change>
Instrumentation Profiling Component: <Program Value>
Remote Component: <Program Value>
Pulse interval data recording: ENABLED, configured to record 0 days
Instrumentation set 1 interval data recording: ENABLED, configured to
record 0 days
Instrumentation set 2 interval data recording: ENABLED, configured to
record 0 days
Power Quality Monitoring: ENABLED, feature is OFF
Loss Compensation: disabled, parameters are not configured
and all tasks subsequent to the failed task are not executed. See “Changing the
task execution order” on page 82 for details. If the error occurs after the meter is
identified, the error message is logged to the Program Completion Report.
Overriding program values using the Program task

At task execution, Metercat displays the Program Task Run Time Overrides dialog. This
dialog provides you an opportunity to override default task parameters (such as, Program,
Account, Meter ID, Adjusted Kh, etc.). The parameters shown will not be enabled until a
program is selected. Only parameters that are configured in the Program task with Prompt
will be editable.
The following table indicates the status of the register multiplier and the Adjusted Kh items.
System Preferences Program task

User Actions at Program task execution
Adjusted Kh Register Multiplier Adjusted Kh
Disabled prompt Disabled You will be prompted to enter the register multiplier.
program value Disabled The register multiplier value specified in the Program task
will be programmed into the meter.
program value & Disabled You will be prompted to enter the register multiplier
prompt otherwise the program value will be programmed into the
meter.
Enabled Disabled Enabled You must select the Adjusted Kh value.
Note: You must enter the Adjusted Kh values in System
Preferences > Programming Options before you can
select a value during Program task execution.
Caution: Leaving Account and Meter ID (ID 1 and ID 2) empty will clear
the existing Account and Meter ID in the meter. You can use the
Register Edit task to update the Account and Meter ID as
necessary.
Note: If you are configured to use Adjusted Kh in your System Preferences, Metercat will
require you to enter the Adjusted Kh regardless of your settings for this parameter.
Note: Depending on your System Preferences (see “Setting programming options” on
page 49) and the connected meter’s firmware version (3.01 or higher), you will see
either KYZ Divisor or KYZ Value in the run time override form.
Metercat
Note: Depending on your System Preferences (see “Setting programming options” on

page 49), you may set Adjusted Kh in the run time override form. If you use
Adjusted Kh, the Program Completion Report will display the Adjusted Kh and the
calculated Register Multiplier.
The table below explains the effects of overriding the various parameters of the Program
task based on the task settings and the selected program’s configuration:
Program task - Component options
Program Task Program Configuration Meter Configuration

Component Task Setting Does it contain the component? After executing the Program task
Service Test Do Not Change This component is always included in a Service Test settings are not changed.
program.
Program Value The meter is configured with the
Service Test component contained in
the program.
Service Test component The meter is configured with the
selected selected Service Test component
settings.
Metercat

Remote Do Not Change Yes or No Remote settings are not changed.
Program Value No Remote settings are not changed.
Yes The meter is configured with the
selected Remote component settings.
Remote component Yes or No The meter is configured with the
selected selected Remote component settings.
Disable Yes or No Remote component is disabled.
PQM Do Not Change Yes or No PQM settings are not changed.
Program Value No PQM settings are not changed.
selected PQM component settings.
PQM component selected Yes or No The meter is configured with the
selected PQM component settings.
Disable Yes or No PQM is disabled.
Instrumentation Disable Yes or No The meter’s Instrumentation Profiling
Profiling is cleared.
Program Value No The meter’s Instrumentation Profiling
is cleared.
selected Instrumentation Profiling
settings.
Instrumentation Profiling Yes or No The meter is configured with the
Config component selected selected Instrumentation Profiling
Config component settings.
Optional Components

Relay Options Override Not Available No Relay Options are not changed.
selected Relay Options component.
Special Dates Override Not Available No The meter is not configured with a
Special Dates component. Any
existing Special Dates are cleared
from the meter’s calendar.
selected Special Dates component.
Special Option Board Override Not Available No Special Option Board settings are not
changed.
selected Special Option Board
component.
Metercat
Troubleshooting programming a meter
Program ID Not Available

If the program task is configured with Enter Now for the Program ID and that Program ID is
not available when the runtime form is displayed, an error message is logged to the
Function Completion Report and the function is canceled.
If the program task is configured with Enter at Runtime for the Program ID and the
selected Program ID is not available when the runtime form is displayed, no Program ID is
selected. The user must select one, or click Cancel.
See “Function Completion Report” on page 86 for details on the programming completion
report.
Access Denied to Program ID

You need to be careful when setting up functions, programs, viewsets and groups. For
example, a function Set-up Substation A3 is defined with a Program task calling program
A3K-001, and the group Programmers is defined with permission to perform function Set-
up Substation A3 but is denied access to Program A3K-001. The table below illustrates this
situation.
Access Control
Item
Enabled Groups
Function Administrators
Set-up Substation A3 Programmers
Program task Administrators
A3K-001 Programmers
Program Properties Administrators
A3K-001
Whenever user John in group Programmers tries to execute Set-up Substation A3 against
an A3K meter, the function will fail stating that he cannot access program A3K-001 even
though his group is permitted to access the function and the task within the function.
To ensure that this situation does not occur, you need to verify a group’s privileges using
the following commands:
• Tools > Function Management > Access Control (by group)

• Tools > User Management > Group > Programs and Functions
• File > Open > Program > Properties > Access Control
Setting or changing Meter ID or Account

To change or set the Meter ID or Account in a meter you must:
1. Create a program as described in “Creating a new program” on page 333.

2. Create a function with a Program task specifying the Meter ID or Account set to Enter
Now or Enter at Run time as described in “Building a function” on page 77.
Metercat
Setting Device IDs

To set the Device IDs in a meter on a modem sharing unit (MSU) or RS-232 you must:
1. Create a program with a Remote component and the appropriate settings as

described in “Creating a new program” on page 333.
2. Create a function with a Program task specifying the Remote component set to Enter
Now or Enter at Run time as described in “Building a function” on page 77.
4. If the Program task is configured so Device IDs are not configured as Always Master,
enter the Device ID number.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 300 14. Reading a meter
14Reading a meter
Reading a meter is the execution of a function (that includes a Read task) on a connected
meter.
Before you begin

Before you can read a meter you must:
1. Create a function with a Billing Read task or a Diagnostic Read task as an Included
Task as described in “Building a function” on page 77.
Note: You can assign a function shortcut to the function as described in “Assigning
function shortcuts” on page 29.
4. Execute the created Read function as described in “Reading a meter” on page 300.
Reading a meter
password access level.
To read a connected meter:

Metercat
2. From the Function drop-list, select the function that includes the Billing Read task or
Diagnostic Read task.
— Or —
3. From the Viewset list, select a viewset.
Note: By default, Metercat displays the last used viewset. Select a different viewset as
needed.
After clicking Go, Metercat identifies the connected meter and displays the Read Task
Configuration run time dialog.
Note: Changes to reading configuration settings cannot be entered at run time; to
change reading configuration settings, you must edit the appropriate task as
described in “Changing a function” on page 81. See “Billing Read task” on page 88
and “Diagnostic Read task” on page 115 for details on task parameters.
Note: Reading Collector/Node Data only applies for A3 ALPHA meters with ILC1 or ILN1
option boards. Reading collector or node data is restricted by the following:
Status if the connected meter has an ILC1 Read Only, Billing or
(internal LAN controller) or an ILN1 Unrestricted
(internal LAN node) option board only
LAN status data will be read
All all LAN status and LAN read data will Unrestricted
be read
All Except LP all status and LAN read data except Unrestricted
load profile will be read
Metercat
Note: If you attempt to read collector/node data and your group does not have access to
the appropriate level password, the Reading Completion Report will state
“Metercat Internal Error” and the reading file will not be stored.
5. Enter Reader Notes that describe relevant information regarding the reading.
Note: These notes may be viewed in the Function Completion Report or in the Status >
General view (see “General tab” on page 268).
Note: If you have specified time adjustment criteria in System Preferences (see “Setting
time difference options” on page 51), time synchronization will occur on
timekeeping meters.
Metercat
6. Click OK to begin the reading.

Note: The area on the far right of the connection toolbar indicates the progress of the
execution and any errors that occur during the execution.
7. Tasks are processed in the order that they occur in the Function Builder Included
Tasks listing. See “Function Definition tab” on page 78 for instructions on using the Up
and Down buttons to change the task execution order of a function.
and all tasks subsequent to the failed task are not executed.
Note: Billing read files are stored in the \Metercat\Readings\Billing folder; diagnostic
read files are stored in the Metercat\Readings\Diagnostic folder; and HHF read
files are stored in the Metercat\Readings\HHF folder.
The reading filenames are based on the selected reading filename ID and are stored
in the appropriate \Metercat\Readings\ subfolder. See “Exporting stored readings”
on page 184 for more information on exporting files.

A function completion report is composed at the end of function execution. This report
summarizes all task activity performed by the function and states whether the tasks
completed successfully or unsuccessfully. The report is presented in an HTML viewer and
can be either saved or printed.
Metercat
Appendix B, “Report Samples”contains samples of reports created by Metercat.
Errors are also reported in the completion report (except for errors involving the HTML file
itself which are reported by a message dialog). Common errors include: communications
errors, data content errors, file errors, and database errors.
Troubleshooting reading a meter
Reading of Internal LAN Node Current Billing data failed

If the ILN1 option board of the meter contains no data when the meter is read (that is, no
data yet has been stored in the option board or data has been recently cleared), the task
will succeed but a message will appear in the function completion report “Reading of
Internal LAN Node Current Billing data failed.”
Communication Error - 0x09 Renegotiate (RNO) received

Occasionally when you attempt to read a meter with an option board you may received
the following message:
Communication Error.
0x09 Renegotiate (RNO) received from meter in Negotiate in
StartSession
Possible reason: The meter is busy with option board communications.
Metercat
Attempt the function again in 1 minute.

Meter identification failed.
This event occurs when the meter is busy communicating with the option board. Wait a
minute or two and retry reading the meter.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 306 15. Exporting a program or component
15Exporting a program or component
Metercat allows you to export a program or component to a *.PED or *.PCD file,

respectively.
Programs and components that have been exported from Metercat Rel. 1.5 or higher can
be imported into Metercat (see Chapter 16, “Importing a program or component” for
details).
Note: Your group must have access to Create/Modify Meter Program to export
programs or components. Use Tools > User Management > Group Information
> Privileges to set the appropriate access privileges.
Exporting a program
To export a program:
1. From the Tools menu, select Export/Import Program.

The Export/Import Program dialog displays.
Metercat
The following table describes the columns and buttons that appear in the Export/
Import Program dialog:
List Displays a list of programs by name.
Details Displays the details of the displayed programs:

• Program Name
• Program Type
• Creation On
• Creation By
• Modified On
• Modified By
Export Exports the selected program to a PED (program exchange
document) or XML text file.
Import Opens a dialog that allows you to select a PED file for importing.
See “Importing a program” on page 312.
Metercat

opened dialog.
More/Less Shows the components for the selected program [disappears
when Less is clicked].
Program Name Displays the name of the program you wish to open.
Meters and Types Displays programs by meter family and type.
Components of Lists the components used by the selected program.
selected program
2. Select the Program ID from the listing.

• To select a program for a specific meter type click the Meters and Types drop list
and select the appropriate item.
• To view the components for a selected Program ID, click More and scroll down the
Components listing.
3. Click Export.
The Save Exported Program dialog displays.
4. Enter the appropriate File name.

5. Select the appropriate Save as type from the drop list:
a. .PED file extension (program exchange document)
b. .XML file extension
6. Click Save.
Metercat
Exporting a component
To export a component:
1. From the Tools menu, select Export/Import Component.

The Export/Import Component dialog displays.
Import Component dialog:
Components of type Displays components by type (for example, Logs, Constants, etc.).
List Displays a list of components by name.
Details Displays the details of the displayed components:

• Component Type
• Meter Family
• Meter Type
• Program Type
• Creation On
• Creation By
• Modified On
• Modified By
Export Exports the selected component to a PCD ((program component
document) or XML text file.
Metercat

Import Opens a dialog that allows you to select a PCD file for importing.
See “Importing a component” on page 318.
opened dialog.
More/Less Shows the programs that use the selected component
[disappears when Less is clicked].
Component Name Displays the name of the component you wish to export.
Programs using Lists the programs that use the selected component.
selected component
2. Select the Component from the listing.

• To select a component for a specific meter type click the Meters and Types drop
list and select the appropriate item.
• To view the programs that use the selected component, click More and scroll
down the Programs listing.
3. Click Export.
The Save Exported Component dialog displays.
4. Enter the appropriate File name.

5. Select the appropriate Save as type from the drop list:
a. .PCD file extension (program component document)
b. .XML file extension
6. Click Save.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 311 16. Importing a program or component
16Importing a program or component
You can import programs (*.PED or *.XML) or components (*.PCD or *.XML) that have been
exported from another Metercat installation (Release 1.5 or higher).
This feature allows you to share programs or components between multiple installations
of Metercat.
Note: This feature only works with programs or components exported from Metercat
Release 1.5 or higher. See Chapter 15, “Exporting a program or component” for
details.
Note: Your group must have access to Import Meter Program to import programs or
components. Use Tools > User Management > Group Information > Privileges to
set the appropriate access privileges.
Important note on importing programs and password sets

During the importation of a program, the password set associated with the program is
also imported. If the password set being imported already exists on the destination system
and the passwords in the imported set are different from the passwords in the destination
system, the password set on the system will be changed to the imported passwords. This
may cause communication errors with A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters, depending
on the group’s password set and the Password History Depth setting of the set (see
“About password sets” on page 174 for details).
For example, if the imported program uses a password set (My Password Set) that already
exists in the destination Metercat database but the passwords in the imported set are
different (My Password Set.0 (b) compared with My Password Set.0 (a)), the different
passwords are imported and added to the existing password set and the password set’s
history counter will be incremented (see Figure ).
Metercat
Imported Program
current user ID My Password Set.0 (b)
IMPORTED on 6/22/2006
Existing Metercat
current user ID My Password Set.0 (a)
12/31/2005 user ID My Password Set.1
Result after Import

current user ID My Password Set.0 (was b)
6/22/2006 user ID My Password Set.1 (was a)
After the importation, if the Password History Depth is set to 1 (that is, only use the current
password–My Password Set.0 that was (b)) and you attempt to communicate with a meter
that was programmed with the earlier password set (for example, My Password Set.0 (a) in
the figure), communications will fail.
See Chapter 9, “Managing meter passwords” for detailed information about meter
passwords and password sets.
Importing a program
Note: Your user group must have Import Meter Programs privileges before you can
import a program or a component. See “Privileges tab” on page 67 for more
details.
To import a program PED or XML file:
1. From the Tools menu, select Export/Import Program.

The Export/Import Program dialog displays.
Metercat
Import Program dialog:
Item Description

• Program Name
• Program Type
• Creation On
• Creation By
• Modified On
• Modified By
Export Exports the selected program to a PED (program exchange
document) or XML text file. See “Exporting a program” on page
306.
Import Opens a dialog that allows you to select a PED file for importing.
opened dialog.
More/Less Shows the components for the selected program [disappears
Metercat
Item Description
Components of Lists the components used by the selected program.
selected program
2. Click Import.
The Select PED file to Import dialog displays.
3. Navigate to the location of the PED or XML file you want to import.
Note: To see the XML files, select XML file (*.xml) from the Files of type drop list.
4. Select the PED or XML file to import.
Note: Importing a program that contains new components will also add the
components.
5. Click Open.
Metercat displays a dialog listing the components that will be replaced.
Metercat
Note: If you are importing an Instrumentation Profiling component from a release earlier
than Metercat 1.9 and the component is shared between programs for both A3
ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters, the component will be imported for the meter
type specified in the program. If Metercat supports only one or the other meter
type, the component will be imported for the supported meter type.
6. Click OK to acknowledge the dialog.
The selected PED or XML file is imported into Metercat.
Note: If the System Preferences settings of the exporting computer are different from the
settings of the importing computer you will see a warning message. See “Warning
Messages about System Preferences” on page 325 for details.
Metercat
8. Click More to see a list of the components associated with the imported program.
Metercat
9. Click Close to return to Metercat’s main window.

Metercat displays a report of the Import Program action.
Metercat
See “Import Completion Report” on page 325 for more information.

Note: The logon ID you used while performing the import operation will be associated
with the imported program (Created By column). If you have imported a duplicate,
the logon ID is shown in the Modified By column.
Importing a component
Note: Your user group must have Import Meter Programs privileges before you can
import a program or a component. See “Privileges tab” on page 67 for more
details.
To import a component PCD or XML file:
1. From the Tools menu, select Export/Import Component.

The Export/Import Component dialog displays.
Metercat
2. Click Import.
The Select PCD file to Import dialog displays.
3. Navigate to the location of the PCD or the XML file you want to import.
4. Select the PCD or XML file to import.
Note: To see the XML files, select XML file (*.xml) from the Files of type drop list.
5. Click Open.
Metercat
Note: If you are importing an Instrumentation Profiling component from a release earlier
than Metercat 1.9 and Metercat supports both A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA
meters, the component will be imported for both meter types. If Metercat supports
only one or the other meter type, the component will be imported for the supported
meter type.
Metercat displays a dialog listing the filename and component that was imported.

The selected PCD or XML file is imported into Metercat and appears highlighted in
the Export/Import Component dialog.
7. Click More to see a list of the programs that use the imported component.
Metercat
8. Click Close to return to Metercat’s main window.

Metercat displays an import completion report that details any errors or warnings
that occurred during the importation.
Metercat
See “Import Completion Report” on page 325 for more information.

Note: The logon ID you used while performing the import operation will be associated
with the imported component (Created By column). If you have imported a
duplicate, the logon ID is shown in the Modified By column.
Importing duplicate components or programs

If you are importing a program or component that already exists on your computer,
Metercat may prompt you if you will be overwriting an existing program or component.
• Click Cancel if you do not want to overwrite the duplicate items; click OK to overwrite
the duplicate items.
Renumbering a program
If a program import failed because of a special duplicate program IDs situation, Metercat
asks you to renumber your existing program and then retry the import.
Metercat
To renumber a program prior to importing another, your group must have the following
group privileges (see “Privileges tab” on page 67):
• Create/Edit privileges for Meter Programs

• Delete Meter Programs access
To renumber a duplicate program:
1. From the File menu, select New > Program as Copy.

2. Select the existing program (not the one you want to import).
3. Enter a New Program ID Number that is not a duplicate and click Open.
4. Save the copied program.
5. To grant access to the renumbered program:
a. Log on using an ID in the Administrators group.
b. From the Tools menu, select User Management.
c. Edit the user groups as needed to grant access to the renumbered program.
If function configuration changes are needed, your group must have Create/Edit privileges
for Functions.
If the Program task of any functions were configured to use the old program (that is, the
one with the duplicate Program ID), change those functions that use the old program:

2. Edit the functions that include the Program task to use the renumbered program.
Once the user groups and functions have been updated, delete the old program:
1. From the File menu, select Delete > Program and delete the old program (that is, the
one with the duplicate Program ID).
2. Retry the import.
Renaming a component
If a component import failed because of a special duplicate component name situation,
Metercat asks you to rename your existing component and then retry the import.
Metercat
To rename a component prior to importing, your group must have the following group
privileges (see “Privileges tab” on page 67):
• Create/Edit privilege for Meter Programs

• Delete Meter Programs access
To rename a duplicate component:
1. From the File menu, select New > Component as Copy.

2. Select the existing component (not the one you want to import).
3. Click More and note any programs that use the selected component.
4. Enter a New Component Name that is not a duplicate then click Open.
5. Save the copied component.
6. Edit each of the programs noted earlier to use the renamed component.
If function configuration changes are needed, your group must have Create/Edit privileges
for Functions.
If any tasks of any functions are configured to use the conflicting component,

2. Edit the functions to use the renamed component.
Once the functions have been updated, delete the old component:
1. From the File menu, select Delete > Component. and delete the old component (that
is, the one with the duplicate name).
Renaming a password set

If a program import failed because of a special duplicate password set situation, Metercat
asks you to rename your existing password set and then retry the import. Your group must
had Manage Meter Passwords access (see “Privileges tab” on page 67).
Metercat
To rename a password set:
1. From the Tools menu, select Meter Passwords Management.

2. Select the name of the password set that is a duplicate.
3. Enter a new password set name that will not conflict with an existing password set
and then click OK.
Import Completion Report

When you have complete importing all of the programs or components and you click
Close to return to Metercat’s main window, Metercat displays a completion report of your
import actions. This report indicates which programs and components were imported and
the status of the import (successful or failed).
Troubleshooting
Warning Messages about System Preferences

If you import a program from another Metercat installation that uses different system
preference settings for Show One Cycle of Alternate Display List at Power Up, Use KYZ
Value Method or Use Adjusted Kh Value to Configure Meter Constants, you will see one
or both of the warning messages:
Metercat
Explanation
Exported programs include the Show One Cycle of Alternate Display List at Power Up,
Use KYZ Value Method, and Use Adjusted Kh Value to Configure Meter Constants
settings (either enabled or disabled) of the exporting Metercat computer (Tools > System
Preferences > Programming Options).
The imported program will use the setting on the importing Metercat computer even
though it is different from the setting of the imported file. To keep the setting of the imported
file you need to change your System Preferences setting accordingly (see“Setting
programming options” on page 49 for details.
Importing Errors
If you experience errors while importing a program or component, the import will be
unsuccessful. These errors are usually the result of one of the following conditions:
• corrupt files
• editing of a PED, PCD, or XML file outside Metercat
• importing a later Metercat release PED, PCD, or XML file into an earlier Metercat
release
To correct the problem, re-export the program or component from the original Metercat
installation and then retry importing the program or component into the proper Metercat
installation.
Editing an imported program or component

See “Opening an existing program” on page 339 and Chapter 20, “ Components” for
details on opening and editing an imported program or component.
Creating a Program Report after importing

See “Creating a Program Report” on page 342 for details on creating a report of an
imported program.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 327 17. Introduction to program development
17 Introduction to program development
Metercat™, the meter configuration and analysis tool, provides an interface for
communicating with Elster’s A3 ALPHA, A1800 ALPHA and REX meters. This software
allows you to program and read information contained in the A3 ALPHA meter’s memory,
as well as, to perform various functions on the REX meter (such as clear data or perform a
demand reset).
This chapter explains some of the basic concepts and terms needed in order to use the
software to develop a meter program.
Note: Your logon group must have Create/Edit privileges in order to develop meter
programs. For details on group privileges see Chapter 6, “Managing users.”
Program identification
Programs are uniquely identified by the following items:
• Program name
• Program ID
• Meter family
• Meter type
Program name
The Meter Type, Program ID and the Program Description combine to compose the
Program Name. It looks like A3K - 001 - TOU, LP in the Open > Program dialog.
Program ID
Elster’s Metercat software uses a unique three-digit number (stored in the meter) as a
reference (in the range of 000 - 999).
Meter family
Metercat supports Elster’s A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters (ANSI C12-compliant).
Additionally, some maintenance tasks for the REX meter can be performed using Metercat
(see “Available tasks” on page 88). See “Setting supported meters” on page 44 for
information on configuring Metercat to support or not support certain meter families.
Meter type
Metercat allows the programming of the following meter types:
• D (Demand) or T (Time of Use)

• K (Apparent power)
• R (Reactive power)
• Q (Q-hour power)
Metercat
Audit information
Audit information is maintained for programs and individual components. You can view
this information by using the File > Open dialog. Audit information includes:
• Created On date
• Created By user
• Modified On date
• Modified By user
These actions are described in more detail in Chapter 18, “Using the Program Editor.”
Create information
The creation audit information is updated when you create a program or component by
using the following commands:
• File > New > Program

• File > New > Component
• File > New > Program as Copy
• File > New > Component as Copy
• File > Save As
Modified information
The modified audit information is updated when you perform:
• File > Save
About programs and components

To make it easier to develop a meter program, a program is composed of one of each type
of component. The figure below illustrates the component types and how they fit into a
program.
Metercat
Component types Program
Properties
Constants Constants
Demand Demand
Demand or TOU Demand or TOU
Logs Logs
Instrumentation Profiling Instrumentation Profiling
Metering Metering
Quantities Quantities
Display Display
Interval Data Config Interval Data Config
PQM PQM
Rates Rates
Switch Times Switch Times
Day Types Day Types
Relay Options Relay Options
Remote Remote
Service Test Service Test
Special Dates Special Dates
Special Features Special Features
Special Option Board Special Option Board
A component may be used in one or more defined programs (provided that the
component’s meter and program types are compatible with the program’s meter and
program types). For example, it would be easier and ensure consistency to program
meters with the same Special Dates component but, because of differences in storage
requirements for metering quantities, more than one Logs or Metering component may
need to be defined.
Caution: A change to an existing component affects any programs that

use that component.
The following components are independent of meter type or program type:
• Constants
• Demand (Single Rate Demand or TOU)
• Logs
• PQM
• Remote
• Service Test
• Special Features
• Special Option Board
Note: Elster recommends that, if you vary your independent components based on
meter or program type, you include the meter type and program type in the
component name (example, A3D Constants, A3TKRQ Logs, etc.).
Some components are meter type and program type specific. The following table details
components and their dependencies and some recommended naming conventions.
Metercat
Program Type Dependent Meter Type and Program Type

Meter Type Dependent
(TOU only) Dependent
• Relays • Instrumentation Profiling • Metering (Quantities, Display,
• Rates (Switch Times and Day and Interval Data
Types) Configuration)
• Special Dates
Component Naming Convention Recommendations
include meter type (example, include program type include meter type, program
A3K Relay, A3R Relay, etc.) (example, Demand Rates or type, and quantities (example,
TOU Rates) A3R TOU, LP Metering)
Metercat
Available Components Defined Programs

Constants 1 Program 1
Constants 2
Properties 1
Constants 1
Demand 1 Demand 1
Demand 2
TOU 1 TOU 1
TOU 3 Logs 1
Instrumentation Profiling 1
Logs 1 Metering 1
Logs 2 Quantities 1
Logs 3 Display 1
Interval Data Config 1
Instrumentation Profiling 1 PQM 1
Instrumentation Profiling 3 Rates 1
Switch Times 1
Day Types 1
Relay Options 1
Metering 1 Remote 1
Service Test 1
Quantities 1
Metering 2 Special Dates 1
Display 1 Special Features 1
Quantities 2
Interval Data Config 1 Special Option Board 1
Display 2
Interval Data Config 2
PQM 1
Program 4
Properties 4
Rates 1
Rates 3 Constants 2
Switch Times 1 Demand 2
Switch Times 3
Day Types 1 Demand 2
Day Types 3 Logs 3
Relay Options 1 Metering 1
Relay Options 2
Quantities 1
Remote 1 Display 1
Remote 2 Interval Data Config 1
Remote 3
PQM 1
Service Test 1 Rates 3
Switch Times 3
Special Dates 1 Day Types 3
Relay Options 1
Special Features 1 Remote 1
Service Test 1
Special Dates 1
Special Option Board 1
Special Option Board 2 Special Features 1
Special Option Board 2
About TOU metering

Elster’s electronic meters are capable of collecting and storing energy and demand data in
up to four separate rates: A, B, C, and D. You can specify in a meter program that demand
and energy information collected by a meter be stored in any one of these four rates.
For a meter to collect and store information by rate, you must first define the day types,
switch times, and special dates that you want as part of your program definition. Each of
these components interacts closely with the others:
Metercat
• Day Types component - used to assign a day type to each day of the week and
holidays within each season
• Switch Times component - used to define the times of day (for each day type and
season) during which TOU data will be allocated to a specific rate category
• Special Dates component - used to define:
• recurring - dates that occur on a the same date every year or in a repeatable
pattern (for example, New Year’s Day)
• nonrecurring - dates that do not occur on the same date every year or in a
repeatable pattern (for example, Easter)
Additional resources
Please refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2190) for specifications and
operating instructions for the A3 ALPHA meter.
Please refer to the A1800 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2410) for specifications
and operating instructions for the A1800 ALPHA meter.
Please refer to the REX Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2210) for specifications and
operating instructions for the REX meter.
Elster also provides product guides for specific applications and option boards (for
example, 50ESS ERT, modems, etc.). Contact your Elster representative for a list of available
product guides.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 333 18. Using the Program Editor
18Using the Program Editor
If your logon group does not have Create/Edit privileges for Meter Programs the menu
commands will be disabled. See Chapter 6, “Managing users” for details.
Program Editor help

To view context sensitive help for a specific component in the Program Editor you must:
1. Click the insertion point in a text box or select a drop list on the tab to activate the tab.
2. Press the F1 key to display context sensitive help for the tab.
Starting the Program Editor

You can start the Program Editor by:
• Creating a new program [using File > New > Program - to start the New Program
Wizard]
• Creating a copy of a program [using File > New > Program as Copy]
• Opening an existing program [using File > Open > Program]
Caution: Plan your data collection strategy carefully before creating a
meter program.
Creating a new program

To create a new program:
1. From the File menu, select New > Program.

The New Program Wizard is displayed and guides you through the program
development process.
Metercat
2. Select the appropriate Meter Family for the new program.

Note: Metercat supports programs for the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter families.
Note: Depending in options selected during Metercat installation, the displayed meter
families are determined by your System Preferences. See “Setting supported
meters” on page 44 for details.
3. Click Next.
Note: You can use the Back button to return to prior questions in the Wizard. Use this
button to review or change your answers.
4. Select the appropriate Meter Type:

• D (Demand) or T (Time of Use)
• K (Apparent Power)
• Q (Q-hour Power - A3 ALPHA meters only)
• R (Reactive Power)
Note: The displayed meter types are determined by your System Preferences. See
“Setting supported meters” on page 44 for details.
5. Click Next.
6. Select the appropriate Program Type:

Metercat
• Single Rate Demand (No Timekeeping)

Note: Single rate demand does not support load profile, instrumentation profiling, switch
times, and special dates.
• Time of Use
7. Click Next.
8. Select a Program ID Number from the drop list. This unique number is stored in the
meter and is used to identify the meter program used by the meter.
Note: You cannot change this number after the program has been saved. See
“Renumbering a program” on page 322 for directions on renumbering an existing
program.
9. Click Next.
10.Select the options to include in the program:

• Instrumentation Profiling (TOU metering only)
• PQM
• Relay Options
• Remote
• Special Dates (TOU metering only)
Metercat
• Special Option Board

Note: Options listed are determined by selected Meter Type and Program Type.
11. You can click Finish and all choices up to this point are used to configure the
Program Editor with new components or click Next to select one or more existing
components (see “About programs and components” on page 328 for details on
programs and components).
Note: A change to an existing component affects any programs that use that
component.
Note: Use the scroll bar on the right of the dialog to view the entire set of components or
you can resize the dialog to view the entire contents.
Note: The available components will have a selection for <new> components as well as
a listing of existing components.
12.Select the components to be included in the new program from the various drop lists
(see Chapter 20, “ Components” for detailed information on each component type).
— Or —
If you wish to create a new component select <new> from the list; you will be
prompted for a name when you save the program.
13.Click Finish to complete development of the new program.
The Program Editor window is displayed for the new program.
Metercat
14.Set the appropriate component parameters according to the procedures described

in Chapter 20, “ Components.”
15.After setting the various program parameters, save the new program by selecting
Save from the File menu.
16.Save any new or changed components using a standard naming convention.
See “About programs and components” on page 328 for recommended naming
conventions.
Creating a copy of a program
Note: A new copy of a program can only copy a program of the same Meter Family (A3
ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA), Program and Meter Type (that is, a program for an A3
ALPHA meter R Meter Type with TOU Program Type can only be copied for an A3
ALPHA meter R TOU program).
To create a new program from an existing program:
1. From the File menu, select New > Program as Copy.

The New Program as Copy dialog opens.
Metercat
2. Click More to view component information on a selected program.
3. Select the Program Name you wish to copy for the new program.
4. Select the New Program ID Number from the drop list.
5. Click Open to create the new component and display the Program Editor.
Note: The Program Description is Copy of <Program Name>.
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6. Edit the new program as needed.
Opening an existing program

To open an existing program in order to change or review its settings:
1. From the File menu, select Open > Program.

Metercat displays the Open Program dialog.
2. Select the program from the list and click Open.
3. Click More to view component information on a selected program.

Metercat
Note: Use the List, Details, and More buttons to help you find the program you wish to
open.
The following table describes the various items on the Open Program dialog:
Item Description

• Program Name
• Program Type
• Creation On
• Creation By
• Modified On
• Modified By
Open Opens the selected program in the Program Editor window.
Cancel Closes the dialog and returns to the main Metercat window.
Help Opens online help for this function.
More/Less Shows/Hides the components for the selected program [appears
Metercat
Using the Program Editor

After completing the New Program Wizard, you must set the program’s parameters using
the Program Editor window.
Note: Depending on meter and program types selected during program creation,
different tabs and different parameters may be displayed.
An example of a Program Editor window appears in the figure below.
component tabs
component
definition
status bar
The Program Editor consists of the following elements:
Item Description
component tabs Tabbed pages that allow you to selectively view or
change components within a program.
component definition Displays the selected component’s parameters or
settings.
status bar Displays information messages. In the Program Editor,
the status bar displays the meter family and type,
program description, etc.
Saving a program
To save a new or changed program:
• From the File menu, select Save.

Note: You will be prompted to save and name any new or changed components.
Note: Replacing a component does not constitute a modified component, only if some
data element of the component is changed from the saved version of the
component is it labelled modified.
Metercat
Creating a Program Report

To generate a report of an open program’s configuration:
• From the File menu, select New > Report.

Metercat displays an HTML report containing the open program’s configuration.
You can save this report in HTML format by selecting Save from the File menu.
Deleting a program
To delete an existing program:
1. From the File menu, select Delete > Program.

The Delete Program dialog appears.
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2. Click More to view those components used in the selected program.
3. Select the Program Name from the listing.

4. Click Delete.
The Confirm Program Delete dialog appears.
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5. Click Yes to continue with the deletion; click No to cancel and return to the Delete
Program dialog.
Note: Program components are not deleted. You must use File > Delete >
Components to delete individual components.
Closing the Program Editor

To close the Program Editor:
1. From the File menu, select Close or click the Close button in the top right corner of the
Program Editor window.
Metercat prompts you to save any changed components.
2. Click Yes to save any changed components; click No to close the Program Editor
without saving any changed components; or click Cancel to return to the Program
Editor.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 345 19. Using the Component Editor
19Using the Component Editor
The Component Editor works like the Program Editor only it allows you to work on one
component at a time.
Component Editor help

To view context sensitive help for a specific tab in the Component Editor you must activate
the tab by:
1. Clicking the insertion point in a text box or select a drop list on the tab.
2. Pressing the F1 key to display context sensitive help for the tab.
Starting the Component Editor

You can start the Component Editor by:
• Creating a new component [using File > New > Component]

• Creating a copy of a component [using File > New > Component as Copy]
• Opening an existing component (using File > Open > Component]
Creating a new component

To create a new component:
1. From the File menu, select New > Component.

Metercat displays the New Component dialog.
2. Select the appropriate component type from the displayed list (see Chapter 20,
“ Components” for detailed information on each component type).
Metercat
• If a Logs component is selected, an additional series of dialogs will appear asking

you to select:
• the Meter Family for the component (A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA)
• If a Metering component is selected, an additional series of dialogs will appear
asking you to select:
• the Meter Type for the component (D or T, K, R. or Q1)
• the Program Type for the component (Single Rate Demand or Time Of Use)
• If a Relay component is selected, an additional dialog will appear asking you to
select the Meter Type for the component (D or T, K, R, or Q1).
• If an Instrumentation Profiling component is selected, an additional dialog will
appear asking you to select:
3. Click Open.
Metercat displays the Component Editor.
4. Select the Meter Family:
a. A1800 ALPHA
b. A3 ALPHA
5. For components other than Metering or Relay, select the Meter Type:
a. D (Demand) or T (Time of Use)
b. K (Apparent Power)
c. Q (Q-hour Power) [A3 ALPHA meters only]
d. R (Reactive Power)
6. For components other than Metering, select the Program Type:
a. Single Rate Demand (No Timekeeping)
b. Time of Use
The component entry tab will change to conform to your selections.
7. Enter the settings for the new component as described in Chapter 20,
“ Components.”
8. Save the new component using a standard naming convention.
conventions.
Creating a copy of a component

To create a copy of a component:
1. From the File menu, select New > Component as Copy.

Metercat displays the New Component as Copy dialog.
1. A3 ALPHA meters only.

Metercat
2. Click More to view program information on a selected component.
3. Select the Component you wish to use to create the new component.
Note: For Metering or Logs component, you can only copy for the same Meter Family (A3
ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA) as the existing component.
Note: For Metering components, you can only create a copy for the same Meter Type and
Program Type as the existing component.
Note: For Relay components, you can only create a copy for the same Meter Type as the
existing component.
4. Enter the New Component Name (or you can wait until you save the new
component).
Metercat
conventions.
Note: The default Component Name is Copy of <Component Name>.
5. Click Open to create the new component and display the Component Editor.
6. Configure the new component as described in Chapter 20, “ Components.”
Opening an existing component

To open an existing component (in order to either change or view the component’s
settings):
1. From the File menu, select Open > Component.

Metercat displays the Open Component dialog.
Note: Changing an existing component will affect any program using that component. To
avoid problems, save a changed component with a different name using File >
Save As.
2. Use the List or Detail buttons or click the Components of Type drop-list button to
narrow the displayed listing of components.
3. Select the component you want from the list.
4. Click More to display a list of programs that use the selected component.
Metercat
The following table describes the various items on the Open Component dialog:
Item Description
List Displays a list of components by name.
Details Displays the details of the displayed components:

• Component Name
• Component Type
• Creation On
• Creation By
• Modified On
• Modified By
Open Opens the selected component in the Component Editor
window.
Cancel Closes the dialog and returns to the main Metercat window.
Help Opens online help for this function.
More/Less Shows/hides the list of programs the selected component is
associated with.
Component Name Displays the name of the component you wish to open.
Components of Type Displays components by component type
The list of component types is shown in “Opening an existing
component” on page 348.
Metercat
5. Select the appropriate component from the list and click Open.
Metercat displays the selected component in the Component Editor.
Saving a changed component

To save changes to an existing component:
• From the File menu, select Save.

Note: A change to an existing component affects any programs that use that
component. You may save a changed component to another name (using File >
Save As) so that programs using that component are not affected.
Creating a Component Report

To generate a report of an open component’s configuration:
• From the File menu, select New > Report.

Metercat displays an HTML report containing detailed information on the open
component’s configuration.
You can save this report in HTML format by selecting Save from the File menu.
Metercat
Deleting a component
To delete an existing component:
1. From the File menu, select Delete > Component.

The Delete Component dialog appears.
2. Select the Component from the listing.

Note: You cannot delete components that are associated with existing programs. You
must first change or delete the relevant program to enable the Delete button.
3. Click Delete.
The Confirm Component Delete dialog appears.
4. Click Yes to continue with the deletion; click No to cancel and return to the Delete
Component dialog.
Metercat
Closing the Component Editor

To close the Component Editor:
1. From the File menu, select Close or click the Close button in the top right corner of the
Component Editor window.
Metercat will prompt you to save a changed component.
2. Click Yes to save the changed component; click No to close the Component Editor
without saving the changed component; or click Cancel to return to the Component
Editor.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 353 20. Components
20 Components
See Chapter 18, “Using the Program Editor” for details on using the Program Editor and the
Program Development Wizard to create and edit meter configuration programs.
See Chapter 19, “Using the Component Editor” for details on using the Component Editor to
create and edit program components.
Caution: Plan your data collection strategy carefully before creating a

meter program.
Components
The component-based tabs of the Program Editor allow you to change existing
components or create new components for a meter program.
You can create the following types of components using File > New > Component:
• Properties tab (applies to programs only)

• Constants component
• Demand component
• Demand component - Single Rate Demand Meter
• Demand component - Time of Use Meter
• Logs component
• Instrumentation Profiling Config component
• Metering
• Quantities component
• Display component
• Interval Data Configuration component
• PQM component
• Rates
• Switch Times component
• Day Types component
• Relay Options component
• Remote component
• Service Test component
• Special Dates component
• Special Features component
• Special Option Board component
Note: Depending on the meter and program type of the open meter program, you may
not see all of the above tabs.
Properties tab
The Properties tab of the Program Editor is used for setting:
• Program Description
Metercat
• Password Set
• Custom Display Strings 1 & 2
• Effective Date (only for meters with TOU capabilities)
• Program Options (for example, using special dates)
• Access Control for groups (only in multi-user Metercat configurations)
Note: The Program ID number cannot be changed.
The Properties component also provides memory allocation information (see “Memory
Allocation tab” on page 355).
To set the program’s properties:
1. Type a descriptive name in the Program Description box (30 character maximum
length).
Note: Metercat uses the Meter Type, Program ID number and the Program
Description to identify unique programs, for example, A3K-002-TOU Program.
2. From the drop list, select the Password Set to be programmed into meters.
3. Enter Custom Display Strings 1 and 2 (for example, a reading cycle name)
composed of up to 6 characters that can be programmed to appear on the meter’s
LCD (refer to “Display component” on page 365 for details on adding display items
and to Appendix C, “Displayable Characters” for a listing of displayable characters).
4. If the Program Function is Time of Use (see the status bar), enter or select the
Effective Date (that is, the date the program will take affect). The date is overridden if
you use the Replace Rates and Dates task to download a program. This field is
ignored if you use the Program task to download a program.
Note: The Effective Date is not currently used by Metercat.
Metercat
5. (Optional) In the Program Notes text box, add or edit any information (up to 2000
characters) you want stored with the program in Metercat.
Note: Program Notes are not programmed into the meter.
Note: Program Notes are included in program reports and are exported and imported
with programs.
6. Select the Program Options tab and check any additional options such as special
dates.
Note: The Access Control tab is only available in multi-user configurations of Metercat.
See Chapter 4, “Configuring the system.”
7. Select the Access Control tab and use the Add button to move any Disallowed
Groups to the Enabled Groups list as described in “Using movement buttons” on
page 22.
Note: Access to a particular program can also be controlled by User Management (see
“Programs tab” on page 70).
8. Select the Memory Allocation tab to view the number of days of storage for each
possible meter memory configuration (see “Memory Allocation tab” on page 355 for
details on how memory is allocated based on program configuration settings).
Memory Allocation tab

Note: For the A3 ALPHA meter, the memory allocation storage estimates are based on
firmware version 3.01. For the A1800 ALPHA meter, the memory allocation storage
estimates are based on firmware version 1.00. Contact your Elster sales
representative for more information.
The Memory Allocation tab displays the number of days of storage for common meter
memory configuration for the following:
• interval data (pulse) (Interval Data Configuration component)

Metercat
• interval data (instrumentation) Instrumentation Profiling Config component)

The following component settings also use shared memory and affect the amount of
shared memory that is available for storing profile data:
• log entries (Logs component) - event, history, sag, and PQM

• number of self reads (Logs component)
• number of quantities defined (Quantities component) - the more quantities defined,
the more memory required for self reads
The information shown is automatically updated if you make changes to any parameters
in the program that affect memory allocation, such as the number of load profile days, the
number of self reads, the number of channels of interval data (instrumentation), etc.
Note: Meter memory configuration is determined by the amount of memory on the

meter’s main circuit board and the amount of expanded memory available on any
option boards.
The following rules are enforced during Program task execution time when allocating
memory:
1. Metercat does not change the memory allocated to self reads and logs.
2. If Interval Data (Pulse), Instrumentation Profiling Set 1 and Instrumentation Profiling Set
2 Days of Storage are set to Maximize, Metercat allocates memory so that the same
number of days are provided for each data set.
3. If Interval Data (Pulse), Instrumentation Profiling Set 1 and Instrumentation Profiling Set
2 are all set to a specified number of days, Metercat allocates memory in the
following order: Interval Data (Pulse), Instrumentation Profiling Set 1 and
Instrumentation Profiling Set 2.
4. If one or more data sets are configured for a specified number of days and one or
more are configured to Maximize:
Metercat
a. Metercat allocates memory for the specified number of days using the following
priority: Interval Data (Pulse), Instrumentation Profiling Set 1 and Instrumentation
Profiling Set 2.
b. Metercat allocates the remainder of available memory equally to the data sets
configured to Maximize (that is, they all are set to store data the same number of
days).
Examples of memory allocation

Note: The number of days of storage listed may very depending on the meter type and
the firmware version of the meter. The indicated values are for A3 ALPHA meters
firmware 3.01 or later.
The following table provides an example of memory allocation (in days) assuming that the
following conditions are true:
• instrumentation profiling is disabled

• load profile interval length is 15 minutes
• one quantity is measured
The first number assumes all data logs and self reads are configured to record the
maximum number of events - 255 for logs and 15 self reads (see “Logs component” on
page 383).
The second number assumes minimum logs1 (0 log entries and 40 PQM log entries) and
no self reads leaving all memory for load profile data storage.
Available Number of channels of standard load profiling

Memory 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Main Board 64K 89/127 47/68 36/52 26/38 22/32 18/26 16/23 14/20
128K 288/326 153/174 117/132 86/98 73/83 60/68 53/60 46/52
Extended Memory Board 1 MB 3177 1696 1294 954 812 664 592 509
The following table provides an example of memory allocation (in days) assuming that the
following conditions are true:
• one quantity is measured

• interval data (pulse) is set for 15-minute intervals
• instrumentation profiling is enabled and configured for the following:
• instrumentation profiling set 1 is set for 6 channels at 5-minute intervals
• instrumentation profiling set 2 is set for 16 channels at 30-minute intervals
• data storage is configured for an equal number of days across all profile channels
The first number assumes all data logs and self reads are configured to record the
maximum number of events - 255 for logs and 15 self reads (see “Logs component” on
page 383).
The second number assumes minimum logs2 (0 log entries and 40 PQM log entries) and
no self reads leaving all memory for profile data storage.
1. In the factory the PQM log is set to minimally record 40 entries. This ensures that if PQM is enabled at a later date there will be
no consequent loss of load profile or instrumentation profile data.
2. In the factory the PQM log is set to minimally record 40 entries. This ensures that if PQM is enabled at a later date there will be
no consequent loss of load profile or instrumentation profile data.
Metercat
Available Number of channels of standard load profiling

Memory 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Main Board 64K 4/6 4/5 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/4 3/4
128K 13/15 13/14 12/14 12/13 11/13 11/13 11/12 10/12
Extended Memory Board 64K 149 143 140 134 131 127 124 120
1 MB
128K 157 157 140 134 131 127 124 120
Constants component
The Constants component allows you to set the values Metercat will program into the
meter for calculating the adjusted Ke, adjusted Kh, and Kd.
You may override the constants stored in the program at Program task execution time (if
Prompt is selected). A brief explanation of this feature is found in Chapter 7, “Managing
functions.”
Metering Application
Elster sets Factory Ke in all ALPHA meters. This value is the amount of energy per pulse
generated by the ALPHA meter engine.
The Factory Ke value is dependent on meter form and class rating (refer to your meter’s
technical manual for details). Factory Ke is calculated:
Factory K h
Factory K e = ------------------------------------
Nameplate P/R
Energy and demand measurements stored in the meter must be adjusted to account for
current transformer (CT) ratio and voltage transformer (VT) ratio and/or when an external
multiplier is used. At program time, Metercat uses the Factory Ke to calculate the Adjusted
Ke and this value is then used to calculate energy usage.
Secondary Metering
When you select secondary metering (default), Metercat computes Adjusted Ke:
Factory K e
Adjusted K = ---------------------------------------------
e Register Multiplier
In secondary metering, the current transformer (CT) ratio and the voltage transformer (VT)
ratio may be entered and stored in the meter, but they are not used by the meter in energy
calculations. Metercat allows you to enter and store the Register Multiplier but this value is
not used for storing or displaying energy and demand values.
Primary Metering
When you select primary metering, Metercat calculates the Adjusted Ke value as follows:
Factory K × CT × VT
e
Adjusted K = -------------------------------------------------------------
-
e Register Multiplier
In primary metering, the current transformer (CT) ratio and the voltage transformer (VT) ratio
are entered and stored in the meter. Metercat allows you to enter and store the Register
Multiplier but this value is not used for storing or displaying energy and demand values.
Metercat uses these values to calculate the Adjusted Ke that the meter then uses for
energy calculations.
Metercat
Note: A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters always use Adjusted Ke in calculations.
Adjusted Kd
As part of the Constants view (see “Constants view” on page 211), Metercat calculates and
displays Adjusted Kd as follows:
Adjusted K d = Adjusted K × Number of Demand Intervals per Hour
e
Adjusted Kh
Instead of setting the register multiplier, Metercat allows you to enter Adjusted Kh to
calculate the register multiplier as follows:
Factory K
h-
Register Multiplier = ----------------------------
Adjusted K h
To specify whether to use Adjusted Kh to calculate the register multiplier see “Setting
programming options” on page 49. To set the Adjusted Kh, you must program the meter
with the appropriate Adjusted Kh value (see “Overriding program values using the
Program task” on page 295).
Note: The Constants component displays the Adjusted Kh as undefined. To view the
meter’s programmed Adjusted Kh value, read the meter and select Constants
view.
Register Multiplier
Normally, the register multiplier is left at 1.0 (default). Metercat uses the register multiplier to
calculate Adjusted Kh as follows:
Factory K h
Adjusted K h = -----------------------------------------------------
-
Register Multiplier
Alternatively, using Metercat you can set the Adjusted Kh so that the meter calculates the
register multiplier. See “Overriding program values using the Program task” on page 295
for details on setting the Adjusted Kh.
However, in certain situations a different value may be needed. If you program the meter
with a register multiplier other than the default, the energy and demand values stored and
displayed on the meter must be multiplied by the register multiplier in order to yield the
actual energy and demand values.
Note: The meter does not use the register multiplier for storing or displaying energy and
demand values.
Transformer Factor
Metercat can program the CT and VT ratios that are stored and displayed by the meter.
From these values, Metercat computes the transformer factor (shown in Metercat for
information purposes only). If the selected metering application is primary metering, the CT
and VT values programmed into the meter are used to calculate Adjusted Ke; secondary
metering does not use the stored CT or VT values to calculate Adjusted Ke.
Setting Constants
Note: Adjusted Ke, Kh and Kd values are undefined until a meter has been programmed
with the Constants component. The Ke, Kh and Kd values are displayed in the
Constants view after the meter has been read (see “Constants view” on page 211).
Metercat
To set meter constant parameters:
1. Select an existing Constants component from the drop list

— Or —
2. Select the appropriate Metering Application:
a. Secondary Metering - default
b. Primary Metering
Note: To use Direct Metering, select Primary Metering with a Register Multiplier of 1.0.
3. Select the appropriate register multiplier (possible values are 0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1000,
10000, 100000, 1000000).
4. Type the CT Ratio in the box (range of 1 to 9999.99).
5. Type the VT Ratio in the box (range of 1 to 9999.99).
Note: Metercat automatically calculates and displays the transformer factor (CT x VT).
Metercat
Note: Adjusted Ke and Kd are calculated in the meter (see “Primary Metering” on page
358 and “Adjusted Kd” on page 359). Values for these two constants are displayed
in the Constants view.
Note: The Constants component displays the Adjusted Kh as undefined. To view the
meter’s programmed Adjusted Kh value, read the meter and select Constants
view.
Note: Depending on your System Preferences, Adjusted Kh is configured during Program
task execution.
Day Types component

The Day Types component allows you to assign day types to each day of the week and
holidays within each season. Day types have associated rate switch times that are defined
by configuring the Switch Times component.
Note: This feature is supported only by TOU meters.
To set the day types supported by the meter:
1. Click in the appropriate table cell for the desired Season/Day Type combination.
Note: The number and names for seasons shown are based on settings in System
Preferences (see “Configuring seasons” on page 48 for details).
2. Select the correct Day Type (Weekday, Weekend, Holiday, or Special) from the drop
list.
By default, Monday-Friday are set as Weekdays; Saturday and Sunday are set to
Weekend; and a Holiday is set to Holiday.
Metercat
Demand component
The Demand component allows you to configure interval and threshold information. The
Demand component settings vary depending upon the meter type:
• Demand component - Single Rate Demand Meter
• Demand component - Time of Use Meter
Demand component - Single Rate Demand Meter

The single rate demand meter performs no timekeeping therefore rate thresholds are not
necessary.
To set single rate demand parameters:
1. Select an existing Demand component from the drop list.

— Or —
2. Check to allow Exponential Response (default values in Normal mode: Interval = 15
min. and Subinterval = 15 min.; default values in Test mode: Interval = 1 min. and
Subinterval = 1 min.).
3. Select an Interval (minutes) (possible values are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15 [default], 20,
30, 60).
4. If needed, select a Subinterval (minutes) (values displayed depend upon the
selected Interval value).
5. Type the value for the Overload (range 0.0000 to 999999.9999).
Metercat
Note: To disable Overload, uncheck the Apply Load Control and Overload
Threshold check boxes in the Quantities component.
If you choose not to uncheck Apply Overload Threshold and still wish to disable
Overload, enter a value of 999999.9999 for the Overload threshold. However, if the
Display component is configured with Demand Values having a Display Units
value of Unity, ensure that the Overload value entered conforms to the Display
Digits and Decimal Location settings (see “Display component” on page 365). If
you fail to do this, the meter’s LCD will display an overflow message.
6. Type the value for the Threshold (range 0.0000 to 999999.9999).
Note: If you specify an overload and/or threshold values that are too precise (that is too
many digits to the right of the decimal) and specify a register multiplier other than
1.0, you risk truncating the entered values.
7. Select the Test Interval (minutes) (possible values are 1, 2, 3 [default], 4, 5, 6, 10, 12,
15, 20, 30, 60).
8. If needed, select the Test Subinterval (minutes) (values displayed depend upon the
9. Type in the Demand Forgiveness Time (minutes) (maximum of 255; default of 0).
10.Select the Cumulative Demand Type:
a. At Reset - the peak demand for the billing period is added to the cumulative kW
value at demand reset time.
b. Continuous - the increment of the new peak is added to the cumulative kW value
as the peak occurs.
Demand component - Time of Use Meter

The time of use meter performs timekeeping therefore rate thresholds are necessary.
Metercat
To set TOU demand parameters:
1. Select an existing Demand component from the drop list.

— Or —
2. Check to allow Exponential Response (default values in Normal mode: Interval = 15
min. and Subinterval = 15 min.; default values in Test mode: Interval = 1 min. and
Subinterval = 1 min.).
3. Select an Interval (minutes) (possible values are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15 [default], 20,
30, 60).
Note: Block interval demand is calculated only if the subinterval size equals the interval
size.
4. If needed, select a Subinterval (minutes) (values displayed depend upon the
5. Type the value for the Overload (range 0.0000 to 999999.9999).
Note: The number of digits to the right of the decimal point must match the number of
decimal places specified in the Display > Control tab - A3 ALPHA. If you do not
want a kW overload flag, enter all zeros (for example, 000000, 00000.0, or
0000.00).
6. For each rate (A, B, C, and D), type in the Rate Threshold (range 0.0000 to
999999.9999).
7. Select the Test Interval (minutes) (possible values are 1, 2, 3 [default], 4, 5, 6, 10, 12,
15, 20, 30, 60).
8. If needed, select the Test Subinterval (minutes) (values displayed depend upon the
Metercat
Note: Block interval demand is calculated only if the subinterval size equals the interval
size.
9. Type in the Demand Forgiveness Time (minutes) (maximum of 255; default of 0).
10.Type in the Demand Forgiveness Outage Time (minutes) (maximum of 255). A
value of zero minutes disables this function.
11. Select the Cumulative Demand Type:
a. At Reset - the peak demand for the billing period is added to the kW value at
demand reset time.
b. Continuous - the increment of the new peak is added to the cumulative kW value
as the peak occurs.
Display component
The Display component allows you to configure the display items for a meter’s LCD (see
“Grouping Display Items” on page 372 for a listing of available display items for the A3
ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters). Display options include the hold time, warnings,
sequence of quantity IDs and data values. Metercat allows you to configure up to a total of
64 display items on a meter’s LCD for the normal, alternate and test modes of the meter’s
operation.
Control tab - A3 ALPHA

The Control tab allows you to configure the format of the meter’s display of data and dates
on the LCD. Also see “Control tab - A1800 ALPHA” on page 366.
Metercat
To set Control tab parameters:
1. Type a Hold Time value in the range of 1 to 15 seconds.

2. For Demand Values, set the following format options for the meter’s LCD:
a. Decimal Location - maximum of 4 digits to the right of the decimal; default = 2
b. Display Digits - 3 to 6 digits; default = 5
c. Display Units - Unity (ones), Kilo (thousands), Mega (hundred thousands) (default
= Kilo)
3. For Energy Values, set the following format options for the meter’s LCD:
a. Decimal Location - maximum of 4 digits to the right of the decimal (default = 0)
b. Display Digits - 3 to 6 digits (default = 5)
Note: If you are collecting Net quantities and expect negative values, you should set
Display Digits to 5 or less digits.
c. Display Units - Unity (ones), Kilo (thousands), Mega (millions) (default = Kilo)
4. For Display Labels (Annunciators) check to show display labels (for example, the A3
ALPHA meter power/energy unit identifier and display identifiers) on the meter’s LCD
during the following modes:
a. Normal List
b. Alternate List
c. Test List
Note: See “A3 ALPHA Meter” on page 469 for details on the meter LCD.
5. Check Show Leading Zeros on Metered Quantities to show leading zeroes on
display quantities.
6. For Display Previous Billing Data select one of the following:
a. Only if present - quantity will not display until a demand reset occurs at which time
the previous billing data will display
b. Always - quantity will display as zero until a demand reset occurs at which time
Note: This setting is valid only if a previous billing quantity is included in the display list.
7. For Display Previous Season Data select one of the following:
a. Only if present - quantity will not display until a demand reset occurs at which time
b. Always - quantity will display as zero until a demand reset occurs at which time
Note: This setting is valid only if a previous season quantity is included in the display list.
8. For Date Format select one of the following:
a. Day-Month-Year - (dd.MM.yy)
b. Month-Day-Year - (MM.dd.yy)
c. Year-Month-Day - (yy.MM.dd)
Control tab - A1800 ALPHA

The Control tab allows you to configure the format of the meter’s display of data and dates
on the LCD. Also see “Control tab - A3 ALPHA” on page 365.
Metercat
To set Control tab parameters:
1. Type a Hold Time value in the range of 1 to 15 seconds.

2. For Demand Values, set the following format options for the metered quantities on
the LCD:
b. Display Digits - 3 to 8 digits; (default = 5)
3. For Energy Values, set the following format options for the meter’s LCD:
b. Display Digits - 3 to 8 digits (default = 5)
Note: If you are collecting Net quantities and expect negative values, you should set
Display Digits to 6 or less digits.
4. For Display Labels (Annunciators) check to show display labels (for example, the
A1800 ALPHA meter power/energy unit identifier and display identifiers) on the
meter’s LCD during the following modes:
a. Normal List
b. Alternate List
c. Test List
Note: See “A1800 ALPHA Meter” on page 475 for details on the meter LCD.
5. Check to Configure ALL Instrumentation Quantities as Primary to display all
instrumentation quantities multiplied by the transformer ratios (that is, voltage
quantities will be multiplied by the voltage transformer (VT) ratio; current quantities
Metercat
will be multiplied by the current transformer (CT) ratio; and power quantities will be
multiplied by the transformer factor).
6. Select the Number of self reads to loop through (range of 0 to 35).
7. Check Show Leading Zeros on Metered Quantities to show leading zeroes on
display quantities.
8. For Display Previous Billing Data select one of the following:
a. Always - quantity will display as zero until a demand reset occurs at which time
b. Only if present - quantity will not display until a demand reset occurs at which time
Note: This setting is valid only if a previous billing quantity is included in the display list.
9. For Display Previous Season Data select one of the following:
a. Always - quantity will display as zero until a demand reset occurs at which time
b. Only if present - quantity will not display until a demand reset occurs at which time
Note: This setting is valid only if a previous season quantity is included in the display list.
10.For Date Format select one of the following:
a. Day-Month-Year - (dd.MM.yy)
b. Month-Day-Year - (MM.dd.yy)
c. Year-Month-Day - (yy.MM.dd)
11. Select the type of Self Read Annunciator Numbering:
a. Annual - labels the self read with the number of the month (01-12)
b. Rolling -labels the self read with the number of months in the past (for example,
01 means last month, 06 means six months past, etc.)
Note: Demand only A1800 ALPHA meters only use Rolling numbering for self reads.
Warnings tab
The Warnings tab allows you to set the meter’s liquid crystal display (LCD) to display
selected warnings. See Appendix E, “Meter Events, Errors & Warnings” for details on the
events, errors, and warning reported by Metercat and refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter
Technical Manual (TM42-2190) and the A1800 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2410)
for details on the events, errors, and warnings reported by the meter.
Unless specified otherwise, A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter warnings are appended to
the display list and are cleared when the condition no longer exists. Metercat allows you to
configure the meter so that all warnings are locked on the display or appear on the display
as Er3 30000 errors. This provides an immediate visual cue that an abnormal condition
occurred with the meter. You can also specify that only specific warning conditions lock the
display.
Metercat
To set warnings parameters:
1. Select the Warnings tab.

2. Check to Lock all warnings on the display using defined warning codes to have all
warning codes lock on the meter’s LCD.
3. Check to have the meter Display warning if reverse power flow detected.
4. Select which Warnings should lock the display as error Er3 300000 to provide an
LCD alert to possible problems that may affect meter operation:
• Click Check All to enable all warnings to be displayed on the meter’s LCD; or, click
Uncheck All to have no warnings display on the meter’s LCD.
• Check those warnings you wish displayed.
Selecting Normal, Alternate and Test Display Items

The Normal tab, Alternate tab, and Test tab allow you to configure those items which will
display on the meter’s LCD during the corresponding display modes (Normal, Alternate,
and Test, respectively).
Displaying Extended Display Items

The A3 ALPHA meter’s display quantity can display up to 6 characters at one time; the
A1800 ALPHA meter’s display quantity can display up to 8 characters. See Appendix C,
“Displayable Characters” for details.
Metercat
Certain display items (such as, Account, Meter ID, and REX LAN ID) can exceed the
character limit of the display. To display these items on the LCD you must include all of the
multiple display items (selected from the Displayable Items listing) as part of the display
list. Meter ID and Account ID have four display list items and REX LAN ID has two display list
items.
For example, the Meter ID can be up to 20 characters long (for example,

21654321654321654321). To show the full 20 characters on the meter’s LCD, you would
need to select the following display items in this order:
Meter ID segment A3 ALPHA A1800 ALPHA

Account ID segment (# characters) (# characters)
#1 2 4
#2 6 8
#3 6 8
#4 6 N/A
Metercat
Meter ID – A3 ALPHA meter

Meter ID 1 Meter ID 2 Meter ID 3 Meter ID 4
21 654321 654321 654321
20 characters
Meter ID – A1800 ALPHA meter

Meter ID 1 Meter ID 2 Meter ID 3
2165 43216543 21654321
20 characters
Displaying Last Nine Characters of Meter ID

Some utilities may prefer to display the last nine characters of the Meter ID (Site ID #2).
Including Meter ID:Last 9 Characters in the Display List will cause the meter LCD to display
the meter ID on the LCD in both the display quantity and quantity identifier fields as follows:
Metercat
Note: You cannot specify a Display ID for Meter ID:Last 9 Characters.
Displaying ILC/ILN Errors and Status

To display ILC errors and status messages on the A3 ALPHA meter LCD (see Appendix E,
“Meter Events, Errors & Warnings”) you must include the EnergyAxis items ILC/ILN Errors
and ILC/ILN Status in the display list. The 3 digit Display ID you enter as part of the display
item will appear on the LCD’s quantity identifier region (for example, iii-000001 for Clock
Error where iii is the Display ID).
Displaying Special Display Items

To allow meters to display the status of third party option boards, Metercat users can
include one or more of the Special Display Item (1-5) in the display list and enter an
appropriate Display ID. You can enter the following characters in the Display ID:
A1800 ALPHA meter A3 ALPHA meter

any alphanumeric or special character any numeric character
maximum of 7 characters maximum of 3 characters
decimals cannot appear in the first or the last no decimals
position
will appear right justified and in all capital will appear right justified
letters
Grouping Display Items

To help you select display items for the LCD, you can drag-and-drop column header
buttons up into the gray area above the table. Using this technique, you can view
displayable items by category and subcategory as shown in the following table.
Category Subcategory/Item
Current Billing Metered quantity measurements (includes Total, Maximum,
Maximum Date, Maximum Time, Cumulative) for:
Total
Rate A
Rate B
Rate C
Rate D
Present Interval
Previous Interval
Metercat
Identification Account (3 or 4 entries depending on meter family)
Meter ID (3 or 4 entries depending on meter family)
Meter Family
Firmware Product, Version, Revision
Hardware Version, Revision
DSP Code, Revision
Custom Display Strings 1 and 2
Meter Programmer ID
Complete LCD Test
Meter ID:Last 9 Characters
Instrumentation quantities on the A1800 ALPHA meter LCD will appear as follows: for
secondary metering, units will be Kilo (thousands) with a nnn.nnn format; for primary
metering, units will be Mega (millions) with a nnnn.nnnn format.
Note: If secondary metering, voltage and current will be Unity (ones) with a nnn.n format; if
primary metering, voltage and current will be Kilo (thousands) with a nnn.nnn
format.
Note: Metercat does not multiply instrumentation profiling values by transformer ratios for
displaying, reporting, or exporting purposes.
Instrumentation System kW
System VA (arithmetic)
System PF (arithmetic)
System PF Angle (arithmetic)
System VAR (arithmetic)
System VA (vectorial)
System PF (vectorial)
System PF Angle (vectorial)
System VAR (vectorial)
Line Frequency
Service Voltage Test
Service Current Test
System Service Type
Instrumentation (cont.) per phase (A, B, C) measurements for the following:
• Voltage
• Current
• Power Factor
• Power Factor Angle
• Voltage Phase Angle
• Current Phase Angle
• kW
• kVAR
• kVA
• Voltage% THD
• Current % THD
• TDD
• Fundamental Voltage
• Fundamental Current
• 2nd Harm. Voltage Mag.
• 2nd Harm. Current Mag.
• 2nd Harm. Voltage %
• Harm. Current (2nd-15th)
Self Read Metered quantity measurements (includes Total, Maximum,
• Total
• Rate A
• Rate B
• Rate C
• Rate D
Metercat
Meter Configuration Program ID
Pulse Ratio
VT Ratio
CT Ratio
Demand Interval - Normal Mode
Demand Interval - Test Mode
Wh per pulse
Meter Kh
Transformer Factor
External Multiplier
Demand Overload Value
Previous Billing Metered quantity measurements (includes Total, Maximum,
• Total
• Rate A
• Rate B
• Rate C
• Rate D
Previous Season Metered quantity measurements (includes Total, Maximum,
• Total
• Rate A
• Rate B
• Rate C
• Rate D
EnergyAxis Items ILC/ILN Errors
(A3 ALPHA meter only) ILC/ILN Status
LAN ID (2 entries)
EnergyAxis Utility ID
ILC Number of Nodes
ILC Number of Repeaters
LAN Registration Information
Metercat
Status Comm Session Count-Port 1
Comm Session Count-Port 2/Optical
Days since reset
Days since input pulse
Demand Resets (Manual)
Demand Resets (All)
Power Outage Count
ALPHA initial Remote Baud Port 1
ALPHA initial Remote Baud Port 2
Transformer Loss Comp(ensation) Status
PQM Status (On/Off)
Outage Log
Program Change Date-Port 1
Program Change Date-Port 2/Optical
Last Elster Configuration Change Date
Demand Reset Date
Configuration change date
End Power out date
End Power out time
Start Power out date
Start Power out time
Present date
Present time
Date of last pending table activation
Errors? ((Yes/No) (A3 ALPHA meter only)
Warnings? (Yes/No) (A3 ALPHA meter only)
Time Left Interval
Present Day of Week
Present season
Pulse count for quantity (VA, Wh, etc.)-Del
Pulse count for quantity (VA, Wh, etc.)-Rec
Self Read Date
Effective Date for Rates/Special Dates
Number of Write Sessions-Port 1
Number of Write Sessions-Port 2/Optical
Special Display Items (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)
Metercat
• Clicking on the + button will expand the view so that you can easily select the display
item to add to the Display List.
Selecting Display Items

To set display mode parameters for Normal, Alternate and Test modes:
1. To add an item to the meter display:

a. Select a display item from the Displayable Items list.
Note: Comm Session Count-Port 2/Optical, Program Change Date-Port 2/Optical,
Number of Write Sessions-Port 2/Optical values include both port 2 and optical
port activity.
Note: Demand Resets (Manual) includes both button press and communication-initiated
demand resets; Demand Resets (All) includes the manual demand resets plus any
meter-initiated calendar demand resets.
b. Click Add to move the selected item to the Display List (those items selected to
display on the meter’s LCD.
Note: The counter in the lower right of the window increments with each added display
item.
Metercat
2. To remove an item from the meter display:

a. Select a display item from the Display List.
b. Click Remove to remove the item.
3. To edit an item’s Display ID, double click in the text box and type the number (the
value will appear in the quantity identifier on the meter’s LCD to indicate which
display item is currently displayed).
Depending on the meter family, the quantity identifier (Display ID) and display
quantity will appear as follows:
A1800 ALPHA meter A3 ALPHA meter

quantity identifier (Display ID)
any alphanumeric or special character any numeric character
maximum of 7 characters maximum of 3 characters
decimals cannot appear in the first or the last no decimals
position
will appear right justified will appear right justified
• 5 alphanumeric characters plus decimals
(for self read items)
• 7 alphanumeric characters plus decimals
(for non-self read items)
display quantity
up to 8 alphanumeric characters up to 6 alphanumeric characters
Metercat
See Appendix C, “Displayable Characters” for details on usable characters.

Note: You can use the Meter IDs, Account IDs, and Custom Display Strings 1 and 2 (1 item
each) to display alphanumeric strings (Display ID) in the display quantity on the
meter LCD. See “Setting site ID labels” on page 45 for details on redefining Meter ID
and Account labels.
See “Program task” on page 122 for details on setting Meter ID and Account values
and “Properties tab” on page 353 for details on setting custom display string values.
4. Use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to move selected items up or down in
the display list; the list specifies the order that items will appear on the meter’s
display.
A set of counters next to the Display List indicates the number of display list items by
mode and the total of display items and the available number of display items.
Instrumentation Profiling Config component

The Instrumentation Profiling Configuration component allows you to configure two sets of
Instrumentation Profiling quantities. A3 ALPHA (A3T/A3K/A3R) and A1800 ALPHA reactive
meters can record up to 16 channels of instrumentation data per set. Each set of
instrumentation profiling has its own interval length that is configured independently from
the demand or pulse data interval length.
For reactive A1800 ALPHA meters (firmware version 1.5 or later), Instrumentation Profiling
Configuration additionally allows you to specify one or more measured quantities (for
example kWh-Del, kVARh-Q1, etc.) in addition to the instrumentation data.
Technical Manual (TM42-2410) for additional details on instrumentation profiling.
See “Overriding program values using the Program task” on page 295 for information on
overriding this component during Program task execution.
Metercat
To configure instrumentation profiling:
1. Select the Instrumentation Profiling Configuration component.

2. Select one of the following Days of Storage settings:
Note: The number of days of Instrumentation Profile data that can be stored in the meter
is affected by the metered quantities, interval data configuration, and the Log
component settings. See “Memory Allocation tab” on page 355 for the effect of
Days of Storage settings on memory allocation.
a. Maximize to retain recorded interval data for the maximum number of days
(determined by the meter when the program is loaded).
b. Number of days and then type the number of days that interval data is stored in
the meter (range of 0 to 999).
Note: If you set Number of days to zero (0) or define no channels, instrumentation
profiling data is not recorded.
Note: The Program function completion report will state the number of days that were
programmed into the meter based on the memory available at the time of
programming.
3. Select the Interval length (in minutes) (values - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15 [default], 20,
30, 60).
Note: You can specify different interval lengths for set 1 and set 2. See “Memory Allocation
tab” on page 355 for the effect of interval length on memory allocation.
4. To configure an instrumentation set:
a. To add a channel, click Add.
— Or —
Press <Insert> to add a new row above the currently selected row.
b. Select None in the Quantity column.
Metercat
A drop list button appears listing the available instrumentation quantities.
A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters

per phase voltage per phase voltage % THD1
per phase current
per phase current % THD1
per phase kW
per phase kVAR per phase TDD1
per phase kVA system kW
per phase voltage angle system kVAR - vectorial
per phase current angle system kVAR - arithmetic
system kVA - vectorial
per phase PF1
system kVA - arithmetic
per phase PF angle1
system PF - vectorial1
per phase fundamental current
per phase 2nd harmonic current system PF - arithmetic1
per phase harmonic current (2nd – 15th) system PF angle - vectorial1
per phase 2nd harmonic current magnitude system PF angle - arithmetic1
per phase fundamental voltage line frequency
per phase 2nd harmonic voltage magnitude
per phase 2nd harmonic voltage %1
1. This measurement cannot be recorded using the Average algorithm.
A1800 ALPHA reactive meters

(uses End algorithm only)
kWh-Del KVAh-(Q1-Q4)
kWh-Rec KVAh-(Q2-Q3)
kWh-Sum KVAh-(Q3-Q2)
kWh-Net kVARh-Q1
kVAh-Del kVARh-Q2
kVAh-Rec kVARh-Q3
kVAh-Sum kVARh-Q4
kVARh-Del kVARh-(Q1+Q4)
kVARh-Rec kVARh-(Q2+Q3)
kVARh-Sum KVARh-(Q1-Q4)
kVARh-Net KVARh-(Q2-Q3)
kVAh-Q1 KVARh-(Q3-Q2)
kVAh-Q2
kVAh-Q3
kVAh-Q4
c. Select a Quantity from the listing.

d. By default the Algorithm is set to End, click in the Algorithm column to select a
different algorithm:
Item Description
Minimum The meter samples the selected instrumentation quantity over
the interval. The minimum value of all the samples is recorded.
The following measurements cannot be measured using this
setting:
• pulse1 quantities
Maximum The meter samples the selected instrumentation quantity over
the interval. The maximum value of all the samples is recorded.
setting:
Metercat
Item Description
Average The meter samples the selected instrumentation quantity over
the interval. The average value of all the samples is recorded.
setting:
• per phase current % THD
• per phase voltage % THD
• per phase 2nd harmonic voltage %
• per phase PF angle
• per phase TDD
• system PF - vectorial
• system PF - arithmetic
• system PF angle - vectorial
• system PF angle - arithmetic
End The meter samples the selected instrumentation or pulse1
[default] quantity over the interval. The last value of all the samples is
recorded.
1. A1800 ALPHA reactive meters only.
e. Repeat for each additional channel.

5. To remove a channel, select the channel from the listing and click Remove.
— Or —
Press <Ctrl> + <Del> to remove the currently selected row.
6. Repeat the process for Instrumentation Profiling Set 2.
Interval Data Configuration component

The Interval Data Configuration component allows you to configure pulse data in the
meter.

Metercat
To configure interval data:
1. Select the Interval Data Configuration component.

2. Select one of the following Days of Storage settings:
Note: The number of days of Load Profile data that can be stored in the meter is affected
by all of the following settings: number of channels of Load Profile (quantities to
record), number of self reads that can be stored in the meter, and the other Log
component settings (see the “Logs component” on page 383).
a. Maximize to retain recorded interval data for the maximum number of days
(determined by the meter when the program is loaded). The function completion
report will state the number of days that were actually programmed into the
meter based on the available memory at the time of programming.
b. Number of days and then type the number of days that interval data is stored in
the meter (range of 0 to 999).
Note: If you set Number of days to zero (0), pulse data is not recorded.
3. Select the Interval length (in minutes) (values - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15 [default], 20,
30, 60).
Note: Interval length and the pulse divisor are also used for the A1800 ALPHA meter’s
two test light emitting diodes (LEDs) for active and reactive energy.
4. Type in the value for the Pulse Divisor (range of 1 [default] to 255).
Metercat
5. Select the Quantities to record from the drop list. Repeat for all needed quantities.
A3T A3R A3K A3Q
kWh–Del (delivered (Del)) kWh-Del kWh-Del kWh-Del
kWh–Rec (received (Rec)) kWh-Rec kWh-Rec kWh-Rec
kWh-Sum kWh-Sum kWh-Sum kWh-Sum
kWh–Net kWh-Net kWh-Net kWh-Net
kVARh-Del, kVAh-Del kQh-Del
kVARh-Rec, kVAh-Rec kQh-Rec
kVARh-Sum kVAh-Sum kQh-Sum
kVARh-Net kVAh-Net
kVAh-Del
kVAh-Rec four quadrant
kVAh-Sum metering
kVARh-Q1+Q4
four quadrant metering kVARh-Q2+Q3
kVARh-Q1
kVARh-Q2
kVARh-Q3
kVARh-Q4
kVARh-Q1+Q4
kVARh-Q2+Q3
kVAh-Q1
kVAh-Q2
kVAh-Q3
kVAh-Q4
Logs component
The Logs component allows you to configure the following logs recorded by the meter:
• event log
• history log
• self read
• Sag log
• PQM log
Note: The sag log and PQM log are only available on meters with Power Quality
Monitoring (PQM) enabled.
Refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual for details on the logs available in the A3
ALPHA meter.
Refer to the A1800 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual for details on the logs available in the
A1800 ALPHA meter.
Metercat
Metercat
To set log file parameters:
1. Select an existing Logs component from the drop list.

— Or —
2. For each log, type or select the maximum number of entries for each log:
a. Event Log (value range of 0-255) - see “Event Log Data view” on page 225
Note: If Event Log is equal to zero (0) Event Log Contents will appear disabled (that is,
uneditable).
b. History Log (value range of 0-255) - see “History Log Data view” on page 226
Note: Some meters may not support recording all history log events. Refer to the meter’s
technical manual for the logging capabilities of a particular meter.
c. Sag Log (value range of 0-255) - see “PQM/Sag Log Data view” on page 243
d. PQM Log (value range of 40-255) - see “PQM/Sag Log Data view” on page 243
Note: A value of 0 disables the logging.
Note: After the maximum number of log entries have been stored, the meter will begin
overwriting the oldest entries.
Caution: Load profile storage capacity may be reduced by 1 or more
days as a result of the log settings since log information and
data sets share the meter’s memory.
3. Type in the number of Self Reads to be collected (from 0 to 15 for the A3 ALPHA meter
and 0 to 35 for the A1800 ALPHA meter). See “Self Reads view” on page 257.
Metercat
Note: When the maximum number of self reads has been stored, the meter will begin
overwriting the oldest self read entries.
4. Check to enable the events to be recorded in the Event Log Contents:
a. Demand Reset
b. Power Fail (before and after)
c. Time Change (before and after)
d. Test Mode (start and stop)
5. For the A1800 ALPHA meter, the checking following additional events allows the
events to be recorded in the event log and generates a Warning (see “Status view”
on page 267):
a. Terminal Cover Removal Detection
• If enabled, enter the Terminal Cover Tamper Exclusion time (the time that must
elapse before the event is logged as a possible tamper event (0-255 minutes)).
b. Main Cover Opening Detection
• If enabled, enter the Main Cover Opening Tamper Exclusion - the time that
must elapse before the event is logged as a possible tamper event (0-255
minutes).
c. Phase Outage (loss and restoration)
• If enabled, enter the Phase Loss Time (the time a phase must be missing
before the phase loss event is logged in the event log (0-545 seconds)).
• If enabled, enter the Phase Restoration Time (the time a phase must be
restored before the phase restoration event is logged in the event log (0-545
seconds)).
PQM component
The PQM component allows you to set parameters for the voltage sag test as well as
configure parameters for each of the 12 enumerated PQM tests contained in the Default
Elster PQM Test Set.
Note: The PQM component can be configured in a meter regardless of the Alpha Key
PQM setting.
overriding this component and “Edit PQM Thresholds task” on page 118 for information on
changing PQM test settings.
To run PQM tests the meter must meet the following requirements:
1. Power Quality Monitoring Alpha Key: ENABLED, (see the “Status view” on page 267).
2. PQM ON is checked on the PQM component.
— Or —
PQM is turned ON by executing the Turn PQM ON/OFF task (see “Turn PQM ON/OFF
task” on page 152).
3. The meter’s service is locked.
Metercat
The table below shows the effect of executing a Turn PQM ON/OFF task on a meter with the
indicated PQM component PQM ON and PQM Alpha Key settings.
PQM PQM component PQM ON/OFF task

Result
Alpha Key PQM ON executed
ENABLED ON (checked) ON Specified PQM tests will run.
OFF (unchecked) ON Specified PQM tests will run.
ON OFF Specified PQM tests will not run.
OFF OFF Specified PQM tests will not run.
disabled ON ON Specified PQM tests will not run.
OFF ON Specified PQM tests will not run.
ON OFF Specified PQM tests will not run.
OFF OFF Specified PQM tests will not run.
Note: The PQM component of a meter can be configured regardless of the status of the
PQM Alpha Key. For a meter with PQM Alpha Key disabled, configured PQM tests
will not run.
The Set Version and PQM Version are displayed to the right of the PQM Set drop list.
Please use one of the following sample PQM components to create the appropriate PQM component using File > New >
Component as Copy:
Sample PQM - Transformer-Rated (for transformer-rated meters)
Sample PQM - Self-Contained (for self-contained meters)
These sample components are identical except for test 7. Second Harmonic Current Test which can be configured for either
a transformer-rated or a self-contained meter.
Note: Metercat only supports the Default Elster PQM Test Set.
On a meter that has the PQM Alpha Key ENABLED, to configure PQM testing:
• Check PQM ON to configure the meter to test power quality.

Note: If PQM ON is not checked none of the enumerated tests (1 – 12) will run (regardless
of the Run the Specified PQM Test setting). You can also use the Turn PQM
ON/OFF task to turn PQM testing on or off. See “Turn PQM ON/OFF task” on page
152 for details.
Note: PQM ON status does not affect the Voltage Sag Test. This test is always running.
When a meter runs the PQM tests, the tests are continuously executed in sequence (1, 2, 3,
etc.). The frequency of the test cycle depends on the number of enumerated tests that are
enabled (that is, Run the Specified PQM Test is checked). On meters with PQM, the
Voltage Sag Test is always enabled and runs every 2 line cycles on each phase.
Note: Some of the PQM tests take longer to run than other tests.
PQM and Sag Logs and Statuses

For meters with PQM enabled, the Voltage Sag Test is always enabled and running
regardless of the PQM ON/OFF setting and the voltage sag log and status information will
always be available (see “PQM/Sag Log Data view” on page 243 and “PQM/Sag Status
Metercat
For each enumerated PQM test, an event occurring on one phase or across multiple
phases is counted as a single event. The voltage sag test records counters and timers for
each phase.
The PQM log displays all PQM events only if Record Test Failures in PQM Log is checked
for the enumerated test (1–12). Meters with TOU capability will also record the date and
time of any PQM failures.
See “Clear PQM Data task” on page 112 and “Replace PQM task” on page 131 for details on
clearing the PQM log and statuses and the Sag log and statuses.
PQM Tests
Refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2190 or TM42-2195 [Canada]) for
more information on PQM tests.
Note: Metercat supports only one PQM Test Set, Default Elster PQM Test Set.
Note: Metercat attempts to set PQM thresholds to those values you enter but because of
the meter’s data formatting Metercat may need to round (either up or down) the
thresholds to the nearest value entered. Therefore, when you read a meter, the
threshold values may be slightly different from those values you entered in the
program.
The default PQM test set consists of the following tests:
Test
Voltage Sag Test
Enumerated PQM Tests
1. Service Voltage Test
2. Low Voltage Test
3. High Voltage Test
4. Reverse Power Test & PF
5. Low Current Test
6. Power Factor Test
7. Second Harmonic Current Test
8. Total Harmonic Distortion Current Test
9. Total Harmonic Distortion Voltage Test
10. Voltage Imbalance Test
11. Current Imbalance Test
12. Total Demand Distortion Test
Configuring PQM Testing

Note: PQM testing can be configured in the meter even though the PQM Alpha Key is
disabled but the PQM tests will not run.
For each of the enumerated tests, you can specify the following test options:
Run the Specified PQM Test • If checked, the PQM test will run.
Note: If PQM ON is not checked, the specified test will not
run even though Run the Specified PQM Test is
checked.
Metercat
Record Test Failures in PQM Log • If checked, PQM test failures will be logged to the PQM
Log.
• If unchecked, test does not store values in the PQM log.
Trigger PQM Warning • If checked, the PQM test failure will cause the meter’s
LCD to display the warning code F2 020000.
• If unchecked, the PQM test failure
Note: To enable alarm calls for PQM test failure, you must
check Trigger PQM Warning. See “Alarms tab” on
page 423 for details on enabling alarm calls.
Qualification Time Enter a time (in minutes and seconds from 00:00 to 60:00).
If the test failure lasts longer than this time:
• and PQM logging is checked, the test failure is logged
(see “PQM/Sag Log Data view” on page 243)
• the cumulative counter will increase by one and the
cumulative failure timer is activated and will run for as
long as the event is detected (see “PQM/Sag Status
Voltage Sag Test

When the Phase Indicator Threshold is exceeded, the phase indicators on the meter’s LCD
will blink (for all affected phases) and, if alarm calling is enabled, a call will be initiated.
Note: For meters with the PQM Alpha Key ENABLED, the Voltage Sag Test is always ON
regardless of the PQM ON/OFF setting.
Note: The Phase Indicator Threshold used for the Voltage Sag Test is configured in the
Service Test component > Basic Settings tab. See “Service Test component” on page
428 for details.
Note: Metercat adjusts the values entered for minimum and maximum duration to the
meter’s resolution (that is, to the nearest multiple of 8.33 msec). For example, if you
enter 35 msec for a duration, Metercat would round the value to 33 msec.
To configure the voltage sag test durations:
• enter the Minimum Duration (in milliseconds between 33 to 1500)

• enter the Maximum Duration (in milliseconds between 33 to 60000)
Note: Maximum Duration must be greater than or equal to the value set for Minimum
Duration.
Metercat
Note: When a voltage sag occurs on one or more phases, the affected potential
indicators on the meter’s LCD will blink but no error message is shown.
1. Service Voltage Test

This test continually monitors service voltage. Voltage fluctuations outside the
programmed limits are detected and can indicate one of the following:
• improper voltage transformer operation

• inappropriate transformer tap settings
• equipment failure
Note: Voltage thresholds used for the Service Voltage Test are configured in the Service
Test component. See “Service Test component” on page 428 for details.
All voltage magnitudes and phase angles must fall within the thresholds for the locked
service.
Metercat
2. Low Voltage Test

This test checks the per phase voltages for values that fall below a specified threshold (% of
nominal). Each phase threshold can be set individually and can be set at a value higher or
lower than the limits selected for the service voltage test. This test allows a more thorough
study of the voltage changes.
The threshold is defined as a percentage of the expected per phase nominal voltage and
recommended to be in the range of 60% to 99.9%. The test fails if any phase voltage
exceeds the threshold.
To configure the Low Voltage Test, for each phase enter a number that represents a
percentage of nominal (from 0.0 to 99.9).
Metercat
3. High Voltage Test

This test checks the per phase voltages for values that exceed a specific threshold (% of
nominal). The threshold values can be set at a value higher or lower than the limits
selected for the service voltage test. This test allows a more thorough study of the voltage
changes. Thresholds are defined as a percentage of the expected per phase nominal
voltage. The test fails if any phase voltage exceeds the threshold.
To configure the High Voltage Test, for each phase enter a number that represents a
percentage of nominal (from 100.1 to 200.0).
Metercat
4. Reverse Power Test & PF

This test recognizes any condition where the current transformer may be wired incorrectly
or where meter tampering may have occurred. The power factor (PF) threshold in this test is
typically set to a very low value to detect only abnormal conditions.
Note: All thresholds used for the Reverse Power Test & PF are configured in the Service
Test component. See “Service Test component” on page 428 for details.
Using the service current test definition permits independent PF settings to be set for each
service type (ABC rotation order). Each service type can have individual leading and
lagging thresholds. Testing for reverse power can only be enabled or disabled for all
phases simultaneously.
Metercat
5. Low Current Test

This test checks the service current for values that fall below a specified threshold. The test
will check for erroneous operation or failure of a current transformer and can detect signs
of meter tampering. If all phase currents fall below the limit on an initial no–load or test
condition, then no warning or indication will be provided. A warning will be issued when
one or more phase currents fall below the threshold value for the qualification time while
the remaining phase currents stay above the limits.
Note: All thresholds used for the Low Current Test are configured in the Service Test
component. See “Service Test component” on page 428 for details.
The threshold is defined as a percentage of the A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA meter Class
ampere rating from the system service test definition. This percentage is applied on a per
phase basis.
Metercat
6. Power Factor Test

This test checks the power factor for any deviation beyond the programmed threshold. This
monitor may be used alone to monitor rate–based conditions or in conjunction with the
reverse power test and PF (see “4. Reverse Power Test & PF” on page 393) monitor to
provide a more thorough analysis of power factor fluctuations.
The leading and lagging thresholds are individually defined for each phase (ABC phase
rotation order). These settings may be different than those defined in the service current
configuration (see “Service Test component” on page 428).
Note: In the case of CBA rotation order, the thresholds are reversed, that is, the min
Lagging PF value is used as the threshold for leading power factors and the min
Leading PF is used as the threshold for lagging power factors.
To configure the Power Factor Test, for each phase enter a minimum leading (0.00 to 1.00)
and lagging (0.00 to 1.00) power factor value.
Note: Input values for the Power Factor test should be based on ABC phase rotation
order. The meter will automatically adjust the values if the service is in CBA phase
rotation order.
Metercat
7. Second Harmonic Current Test

This test checks for the presence of second harmonic current. The second harmonic may
be created by equipment on the line or may indicate the presence of DC currents on the
system. The threshold is defined as values in AC amperes according to the meter class.
Please use one of the following sample PQM components to create the appropriate PQM component using File > New >
Component as Copy:
Sample PQM - Transformer-rated (for transformer-rated meters)
Sample PQM - Self-contained (for self-contained meters)
These sample components are identical except for the 7. Second Harmonic Current Test which can be configured for either
a transformer-rated or a self-contained meter.
The table below shows suggested threshold values for different meter classes. The test
fails if any phase exceeds the threshold.
Meter Suggested threshold

class (as percentage of Class amps)
320 1.25% (4 amps)
200 1.25% (2.5 amps)
20 2.5% (0.5 amps)
Metercat
Meter Suggested threshold

class (as percentage of Class amps)
6 2.5% (0.15 amps)
2 2.5% (0.05 amps)
To prevent the monitor from creating a false alarm from legitimate second harmonic
current sources, the recommended qualification time is 15 minutes.
The default values (0.00 to 100.00) for the Second Harmonic Current Test are for a
transformer-rated meter.
8. Total Harmonic Distortion Current Test

As the load on electrical systems becomes more saturated with electronic control devices
(such as computers and communications systems), there is a growing concern with the
harmonics that these devices can contribute to the electrical system. Total harmonic
distortion (THD), expressed as a percentage of the fundamental, is a measurement of the
power quality of the circuit under these conditions.
The total harmonic distortion current test measures per phase THD current and can alert
the utility to conditions that may be harmful or dangerous to the system or other
equipment. The threshold is defined as a percentage of the fundamental. The test fails if
any phase exceeds the threshold.
Note: Current thresholds used for the Total Harmonic Distortion Current Test are
configured in the Service Test component. See “Service Test component” on page
428 for details.
To configure the Total Harmonic Distortion Current Test, for each phase enter a high
threshold that is a percentage of fundamental current (from 00.0 to 99.9).
Metercat
9. Total Harmonic Distortion Voltage Test

As the load on electrical systems becomes more saturated with electronic control devices
(such as computers and communications systems), there is a growing concern with the
harmonics that these devices can contribute to the electrical system. Total harmonic
distortion, expressed as a percentage of the fundamental, is a measurement of the power
quality of the circuit under these conditions.
The total harmonic distortion voltage monitor measures per phase THD voltage and can
alert the utility to conditions that may be harmful or dangerous to the system or other
equipment. The threshold is defined as a percentage of the fundamental. The test fails if
any phase exceeds the threshold.
Valid thresholds for each phase are a percentage of fundamental voltage (from 00.0 to
99.9)
Metercat
10. Voltage Imbalance Test

This test checks for an imbalance between phase voltages. The test first measures and
normalizes each per phase voltage. The voltages are normalized to account for different
per phase nominal voltages as specified by the locked service. To qualify as a failure, both
of the following conditions must be exist:
• the highest normalized per phase voltage must be greater than the minimum
voltage threshold
( V a orV b orV c ) > minimum voltage threshold
• the ratio of the lowest normalized per phase voltage to the highest (low/high) must
be less than the imbalance threshold
lowest per phase voltage
------------------------------------------------------------ < imbalance threshold
highest per phase voltage
To configure the Voltage Imbalance Test, enter the minimum voltage threshold as a
percentage of nominal (0.00 to 100.00) and the imbalance threshold percentage (0.00 to
100.00).
Metercat
11. Current Imbalance Test

This test checks for an imbalance between phase currents. To qualify as a failure, both of
the following conditions must exist:
• the highest per phase current must be greater than the minimum current threshold
( I a or I b or I c ) > minimum current threshold
• the ratio of the lowest per phase current to the highest (low/high) must be less than
the imbalance threshold
lowest per phase current-
----------------------------------------------------------- < imbalance threshold
highest per phase current
To configure the Current Imbalance Test, enter the minimum current threshold as a
percentage of class amps (0.00 to 100.00) and the imbalance threshold percentage (0.00
to 100.00).
Metercat
12. Total Demand Distortion Test

This test checks the per phase total demand distortion (TDD) and makes sure that the TDD
is less than the threshold. TDD measures the harmonic current distortion on each phase in
percentage of the maximum demand load current (class amps).
Valid thresholds for each phase are a percentage of class amps (from 00.0 to 99.9).
Metercat
Quantities component
The Quantities component allows you to set metering quantities for a programmed meter.
Metercat
To set metering quantities parameters:
1. Select the appropriate Metering Quantities for the meter type.

D or T R K Q1
select one of the following: select up to two1 of the select up to two2 of select up to two1
kWh–Del (delivered (Del)) following: the following: of the following:
kWh–Rec (received (Rec)) kWh-Del kWh-Del kWh-Del
kWh-Sum kWh-Rec kWh-Rec kWh-Rec
kWh–Net kWh-Sum kWh-Sum kWh-Sum
kWh-Net kWh-Net kWh-Net
kVARh-Del kVAh-Del kQh-Del
kVARh-Rec kVAh-Rec kQh-Rec
kVARh-Sum kVAh-Sum kQh-Sum
kVARh-Net kVAh-Net
kVAh-Del
kVAh-Rec four quadrant
kVAh-Sum metering
kVARh-Q1+Q4
four quadrant metering kVARh-Q2+Q3
kVARh-Q1
kVARh-Q2
kVARh-Q3
kVARh-Q4
kVARh-Q1+Q4
kVARh-Q2+Q3
kVAh-Q1
kVAh-Q2
kVAh-Q3
kVAh-Q4
Metercat
1. Q metering is supported by the A3 ALPHA meter only.

2. For the Advanced Metering option, up to six quantities may be selected.
2. Check to specify which quantities will be used for Load Control and Overload
Thresholds triggers.
3. Check Configure for the ‘Advanced Metering’ option to configure for additional
metering quantities, power factors, and Coincident measurements.
Note: Advanced metering is only available for meters with this capability. If an attempt is
made to program a meter that has advanced metering disabled with a Quantities
component with Advanced Metering enabled, the Program function will fail.
4. If needed, select the source for average power factor calculations (if metered
quantities include one of the following quantity sets: kWh and kVAh or kWh and
kVARh) (maximum of two values).
Any of the following combinations of metering quantities can be used to calculate
average power factor:
kWh-Del and kVAh-Del kWh-Sum and kVAh-Sum

kWh-Rec and kVARh-(Q2+Q3) kWh-Del and kVARh-Del
kWh-Del and kVARh-Q1 kWh-Del and kVARh-Q4
kWh-Del and kVAh-Q1 kWh-Del and kVAh-Q4
kWh-Sum and kVARh-Sum kWh-Rec and kVAh-Rec
kWh-Del and kVARh-(Q1+Q4) kWh-Rec and kVARh-Rec
kWh-Rec and kVARh-Q2 kWh-Rec and kVARh-Q3
kWh-Rec and kVAh-Q2 kWh-Rec and kVAh-Q3
Note: Average Power Factor is not supported by Q power meters.

Metercat
5. If needed, select to measure Coincident value at the time of maximum quantity (for
example, kW-Del at the time of maximum kVAR-Del) (maximum of four values).
Relay Options component

Relay options are the configuration settings for activating a selected relay within the meter.
The Relay Options component allows you to configure these options. Relays are only
applicable to meters containing one or two option boards that include relay outputs. Up to
six relays (A-F) can be configured for an A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA meter. Relay outputs
supported are 3 Wire Form C (relays A-D) and 2 Wire Form A (relays E and F).
Note: Metercat allows relays to be configured even though a relay option board is not
present.
See “Overriding program values using the Program task” on page 295 or “Change KYZ
Output task” on page 98 for information on changing values in this component.
KYZ Pulse Output

If one or more relay outputs are configured for KYZ (energy) pulse output3, Metercat allows
you to use a KYZ Divisor to configure energy output pulses based on a positive, non-zero
integer divisor applied to the Factory Ke to calculate the quantity of energy per pulse.
KYZ divisor × Factory K e = KYZ pulse output
For example, when using a pulse divisor of 24 with an A3 ALPHA meter with a Factory Ke
equal to 0.075. You would multiply the Factory Ke by the pulse multiplier to calculate the
watthour value per pulse (1.80 Wh/pulse or 0.00180 kWh/pulse).
24 × 0.075 = 1.8
Alternatively, in A3 ALPHA meters (with firmware version 3.01 or later) and A1800 ALPHA
meters with KYZ Value (pulse value) enabled (see “Setting programming options” on page
49), Metercat allows you to use a positive, non-zero KYZ Value to configure energy output
(in kilo units) relays to generate output pulses based on a configured amount of energy (in
the range of 0.000001 to 100.000000) per pulse.
For example, if you want a single output pulse to indicate 2.0 Wh output:
KYZ pulse output
KYZ value = -------------------------------------------
1000
2.0 Wh
KYZ value = ----------------- = 0.002
1000
You would enter a KYZ Value of 0.002000 to have one pulse represent the equivalent of
0.002 kWh.
Note: KYZ Value cannot be less than the meter’s Factory Ke expressed in kilo units (that is,
the Factory Ke / 1000). In the example described above, the meter has a Factory Ke
of 0.075. Therefore, the KYZ Value must be greater than 0.000075 (or 0.075 / 1000).
Note: A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters will accumulate energy measurements for
each KYZ output and issue a pulse at the appropriate times while carrying
remainders to the next pulse accumulation.
Note: Elster recommends using the 3-wire relays (A, B, C, D), if available, for energy pulse
outputs.
Relay E and Relay F are two-wire relays driven by the meter over an internal
communications bus and are primarily intended for use as control relays (for example,
demand threshold, EOI, etc.). A two-wire relay may be used for energy pulse outputs but
the following should be noted:
• Elster does not recommend using energy pulses from a two-wire relay for testing
3. If no relays are configured for KYZ output, KYZ output is disabled.

Metercat
meter accuracy
• Elster recommends that energy pulses from a two-wire relay not be operated at
speeds greater than 10 pulses per second
Configuring Relay Options

To configure relay options:
1. Select an existing Relay Options component from the drop list.

— Or —
2. Select the appropriate relay to configure (one of the sub-tabs).
3. Select the appropriate relay driver:
a. Disabled - the relay will not activate.
b. KYZ Output - the relay will activate during the selected source (kWh Del or Rec,
kVAh Del or Rec, kVARh Del or Rec, kVARh Q1, Q2, Q3 or Q4 depending on meter
type).
Note: If you wish to use the KYZ Value method, you must enable KYZ Value in System
Preferences. See “Setting programming options” on page 49 for details.
If you have selected KYZ Output as the relay driver, enter the proper Global KYZ
Relay Settings:
1) Enter the KYZ Output Divisor (KYZ Divisor) (integer in the range of 1 to 999). See
“Change KYZ Output task” on page 98 for details on changing the divisor
without reprogramming the meter.
— Or —
Enter the KYZ Value or select a value from the drop list (number in the range of
0.000001 to 100.000000).
Note: If you enter a number for the KYZ Value, the number will not be added to the
default drop list (see “Setting programming options” on page 49 for details).
2) Check to Inhibit KYZ Output During Test Mode (default is unchecked).
3) Select the Activation Type (either Toggle [default] or Pulse).
4) If you select Pulse, select the Width of the Pulse in milliseconds (in the range of
1 - 255 milliseconds with an accuracy of 1 msec; default is 10 msec).
Metercat
Note: You will only see the KYZ Value drop list if you have enabled it in your System
Preferences. See “Setting programming options” on page 49 for details.
c. Demand Threshold - the relay will activate when the demand exceeds the
configured threshold (see “Demand component” on page 362 for details) and will
remain activated until a full, new interval completes without exceeding the
threshold.
Metercat
d. End of Interval - the relay will activate for the first five seconds following the end of
each demand subinterval.
Metercat
e. Cold Load Pickup - the relay will activate while Demand Forgiveness (see
“Demand component” on page 362 for details) is in effect.
Metercat
f. PQM Failure Indication - specify one or more PQM tests that will trigger the relay
- the relay will activate when any one of the specified tests fails.
Note: When a PQM failure condition is no long present, the warning code will
automatically clear and any relays will open.
Note: Metercat allows you to specify PQM tests 1 – 32 for relay activation, however, you
can only configure and turn ON PQM tests 1 - 12. See “PQM component” on page
386 for details.
Metercat
g. Alarm Indication - select the Errors, Warnings, and Events that will trigger the
relay.
Note: Certain alarms require manual intervention to reset the meter.
Metercat
h. Rate Indication: select the Rate that will trigger the relay (either A [default], B, C, or
D) - the relay will activate during each of the selected TOU rates (see “Day Types
component” on page 361 and “Switch Times component” on page 443 for details).
Note: This relay will never activate for single-rate demand only meters.
Metercat
4. Click Wiring Diagrams to view the wiring diagram for the associated relay.
Remote component
The Remote component allows you to configure the communication ports of the meter. The
A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters can be programmed to answer incoming calls and
make outgoing calls. The following types of outgoing calls can be made by these meters:
• billing calls – triggered by a schedule (any of the following: every X number of

minutes, every Y number of days, on a specific date, on a specified day of the week,
or on a specified day of the month)
• alarm calls – triggered by specified alarm trigger events
• outage notification calls – outage call triggered by power failure that exceeds the
specified minimum outage time
Note: For single rate demand meters (that is, a relative timekeeping meter), the meter will
report meter times that are relative to their last power restoration.
Note: For single rate demand meters, all outages are qualified and will result in a
restoration call.
• restoration notification calls – restoration call triggered after specified minimum time
period of restored power
Metercat
The A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters support two option boards installed as COM Port
1 and COM Port 2. For the various meter option board communication options, the table
below details the various port and line sharing settings by purpose and option board.
Position 1 refers to the option board connected directly to the main meter board; Position 2
refers to an option board installed on top of the Position 1 option board. Refer to the specific
option board product guide for a detailed illustration.
Installed options Remote Port Enable Line

Comm Type/Purpose
Position 1 / Position 2 Port 1 / Port 2 Sharing1
internal telephone modem ITM3 / none Internal Modem / Disabled No
Disabled / Internal Modem
modem interface board /
ITM2
internal telephone modem and ITM3 / Relays Internal Modem / Disabled No
relays
internal telephone modem and RS- ITM3 / RS-485 Internal Modem (device ID=1) / Yes
485 for modem sharing unit support Disabled
internal telephone modem and ITM3 / RS-485 or RS-232 Internal Modem (device ID=1) / No2
other external devices connected via Direct Connect
RS-485|RS-232
internal cellular modem [A3 ALPHA ICM / none Internal Modem / Disabled N/A
meter only]
advanced communication (ACB) ACB / none Direct Connect (bps = 28800) / No
option board [A3 ALPHA3 and A1800 Disabled
ALPHA4 meters]
ACB option board ACB / ILC1 Direct Connect (bps = 28800) / No
[A3 ALPHA meter/collectors] Direct Connect (bps = 9600)
Collector(A3 ALPHA meters only) ITM3 / ILC1 Internal Modem / Yes
Direct Connect (bps = 9600)
Node (A3 ALPHA meters only) ILN1 / none Direct Connect (bps = 9600) / No
(RF communications) Disabled
MSU support for meters connected RS-232 or RS-485 /none External Modem (device ID=1) / N/A
via RS-485 to external modem: Disabled
• Master meter with RS485
RS-485 / none Direct Connect / N/A
connected to an external modem
Disabled
• Slave meters with RS-485
1. Applies only when Port 1 is set to Internal Modem.

2. The meter can communicate simultaneously on both Port 1 (via ITM3) and Port 2 (via RS-232 or RS-485).
3. A3 ALPHA meters with Firmware ver. 3.4 or later.
4. A1800 ALPHA meters with Firmware ver. 1.6 and later.
Note: An option board’s physical location does not always correlate to the logical COM
Port number. For example, an ITM2 option board may be located in Position 2 and
be logically connected to Remote Port 1.
A1800 ALPHA Meter Port Options

The following port assignments are recommended for A1800 ALPHA meter Remote
component:
Remote Port 1 Remote Port 2

Disabled Disabled
Direct Connect • Disabled
• Direct Connect
• External Modem
Metercat

Internal Modem • Disabled
• Direct Connect
• Internal Modem
• External Modem
External Modem • Disabled
• Direct Connect
• External Modem
While Metercat will allow the following port assignments for A1800 ALPHA meters, Elster
does not recommend using them because using them may have unexpected results:

Disabled • Direct Connect
• Internal Modem
• External Modem
Direct Connect Internal Modem
External Modem Internal Modem
Third Party Communications Options
Installed options Remote Port Enable Line

Option Board
Position 1 / Position 2 Port 1 / Port 2 Sharing
Itron 50ESS ERT® 50ESS ERT / none Direct Connect (bps = 9600) / No
Disabled
SmartSynch SmartSynch / none Direct Connect (bps = 9600) / No
Disabled
AMRON M5™ CIB CIB / none Direct Connect (bps = 9600) / No
(communications interface board) Disabled
DCSI TWACS UMT-C for A3 ALPHA UMT-C-A3 / none Direct Connect (bps = 9600) / No
meter Disabled
overriding this component.
Refer to the following sample Remote components (installed with the Metercat software)
for examples of particular Remote components:
• Sample LAN Collector Remote component provides an example of configuring an A3

ALPHA meter/collector
• Sample ICM Remote component provides an example of configuring an A3 ALPHA
meter with the internal cellular modem
• Sample 50ESS Remote component provides an example of configuring an A3 ALPHA
meter that has the 50ESS ERT special option board
To configure remote communication:
1. Select an existing Remote component from the drop list.

— Or —
Note: See “A1800 ALPHA Meter Port Options” on page 414 for details on recommended
port assignments.
2. Select one of the following Port Usage types for Ports 1 and 2 of the meter:
Metercat
a. Disabled - no remote communication
b. Direct Connect - used for ILC1, 50ESS ERT, AMRON CIB, and SmartSynch option
boards; also used with RS-232 and RS-485 option boards when the connecting
device is not a telephone modem.
Metercat
c. Internal Modem - telephone line (ITM2 or ITM3) or cellular radio frequency (ICM)
modem–based communication
Note: The ITM2 modem does not support outage calls on the A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA
meters.
Note: The ITM3 modem cannot make outage calls unless the A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA
meter has an outage battery installed.
Note: The ICM modem does not support outage calling.
d. External Modem - connected to external modem device (for example, a modem
sharing unit (MSU) or a device that emulates an external modem and accepts
Hayes AT commands; used with RS-232 and RS-485 option boards.
Note: The external modem does not support outage calling.
3. If Direct Connect is selected:
a. Check Port Permits Read Services Only to permit only meter reading through this
port; if left unchecked, reading and writing are permitted through the port. This
restriction applies even if the connecting device or system has a valid meter
password.
b. Select the appropriate Bit Rate (range of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600 [50ESS ERT,
AMRON CIB, SmartSynch, ILC1] 14400, 19200, and 28,800 bps with a default value
of 2400 bps).
Note: If the connected meter uses an ILC1 option board and a Replace Remote task is
executed, the bit rate of the option board will be changed to that specified for the
modem’s bit rate. The task completion report will indicate whether the option
board bit rate was changed.
c. Enter Turnaround Delay - range of 0 to 25 seconds.
d. Check to Enable Large Timeouts (default is disabled).
Metercat
4. If Internal or External Modem is selected, enter the Alarm Trigger Period (applies to
both ports and accepts values in the range of 1 to 24 hours, inclusively; default is 24
hours).
Internal and external modems are configured using the following tabs:
• Modem tab
• Answer tab
• Billing tab
• Alarms tab
• Restoration tab
• Outage Modem tab
Note: The Outage Modem tab only applies to internal telephone modems on Port 1.
Modem tab
To enter modem settings:
1. Select the Modem tab.
2. Enter the Modem Init String (up to 32 ASCII characters; default is &F&C0E0Q0).
Note: Refer to the modem manufacturer’s documentation for details on setting the
modem init string.
Note: The internal cellular modem (ICM) uses a different modem init string - &F.
3. Select the Dialing mode (applies for each phone number on each enabled remote
port) to either Tone or Pulse (default is Tone).
4. Check Call Anytime (default) if you wish the meter to call in at anytime.
— Or —
Metercat
If you wish to specify call windows for Billing, Alarm, and Restoration calls, uncheck
Call Anytime and enter the Start and Stop times [meter local time] (in HH:MM format
for a 24 hour day) for both windows. If the start and stop times match, the call
window will be closed (0 minutes in duration.)
Note: Setting both windows to closed (from 00:00 to 00:00) prevents calls from being
placed within call windows.
Note: For single rate demand A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA meters (that is, a relative
timekeeping meter), Elster recommends using the Call Anytime setting because
single rate demand meters use relative time therefore call windows are not valid.
5. Select the proper Bit Rate range:
a. Minimum:
• Internal Modem - range of 300, 1200 (ICM modem), 2400 bps; default is 1200
bps
• External Modem - range of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, and
28,800 bps; default is 1200 bps
b. Maximum:
• Internal Modem - range of 300, 1200 (ICM modem), 2400 bps; default is 2400
bps
• External Modem - range of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, and
28,800 bps; default is 2400 bps
Caution: If the meter is acting as a collector, the ILC1 is configured as
direct connected with a Modem Bit Rate of 9600 bps and the
ITM3 is configured as an internal modem with line sharing
enabled.
Caution: If the modem used is the internal cellular modem (ICM),
Minimum Modem Bit Rate must be set to 1200 bps and
Maximum Modem Bit Rate must be set to 1200 bps.
6. Check to enable Security Call Back (default is disabled).
7. Check to Enable Intrusion Detection (default is enabled); disabling intrusion
detection prohibits the modem from hanging up during an active communication
session.
Note: Intrusion detection is not valid on ICM–communicating meters.
8. Check to Enable Line Sharing (default is disabled).
9. Enter the Initial Dialing Delay (within the range of 0 to 255 minutes; default is 10
minutes).
Note: The A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter will delay dialing for a random number of
minutes in the range of 0 to the Initial Dialing Delay value.
10.Enter the Minimum Retry Delay (in the range of 1 to 255 minutes, default value is 5
minutes).
Note: The A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter will delay redialing for a random number
of minutes between this value and the Maximum Retry Delay. Setting the
Minimum and Maximum Retry Delays to the same number will specify a fixed retry
interval.
11. Enter the Maximum Retry Delay (in the range of 1 to 255 minutes, default value is 5
minutes).
Note: The A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter will delay redialing for a random number
of minutes between the Minimum Retry Delay and the Maximum Retry Delay.
Setting the Minimum and Maximum Retry Delays to the same number will specify
a fixed retry interval.
12.To set Inactivity Timeout, perform one of the following:
a. Check Never Timeout.
b. Enter a Timeout value (within the range of 1 to 255 minutes; default is 10 minutes).
Metercat
Note: The modem may have its own settings (set by the modem init string) to determine
how long to wait for a connection to be established. Refer to the modem
manufacturer’s documentation for details on configuring the modem init string for
a larger timeout value.
13.Click Advanced to set additional delays:
a. Check to Enable Large Timeouts (default is disabled).
Note: This setting tells the Metercat software how long to wait for a response from the
modem. However, the modem may have its own settings to determine how long
to wait for a connection to be established.
b. If the host computer is using a US Robotics Sportster modem, check to enable the
Sportster Delay (default is disabled).
Note: The Sportster delay is only needed if the meter is using an internal modem.
c. Enter the Turnaround Delay (within the range of 0 to 25 seconds in tenths of a
second; default is 0 seconds).
d. Enter the Charge Up Delay (within the range of 0 to 255 seconds in tenths of a
second; default is 0 seconds).
e. Enter the Escape Sequence Inter-character Delay (within the range of 0 to 2
seconds in tenths of a second; default is 0 seconds).
Answer tab
If answering is enabled, the A3 ALPHA meter will answer calls during its answer windows
(after the specified number of rings). If Security Call Back is enabled (see “Modem tab” on
page 418), the meter will immediately call back once the current call is disconnected.
To enter modem answer settings:
1. Select the Answer tab.

Metercat
2. Check Enable Answering to enable the modem to answer incoming calls (for
example, if Security Call Back is enabled).
3. Specify Answer Windows options:
a. If you wish the modem to answer calls at anytime, check Answer Anytime
(default).
Note: For single rate demand A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters (that is, a relative
timekeeping meter), Elster recommends using the Answer Anytime setting
because single rate demand meters use relative time therefore call windows are
not valid.
b. If you wish to specify answer windows, uncheck Answer Anytime and enter the
Start and Stop times [meter local time] (in HH:MM format for a 24 hour day) for
both windows.
Caution: If the Start and Stop Answer Windows times are equal (for
example, 00:00 to 00:00), the window open time is set to zero
and the meter will not answer calls.
Note: Times entered can cross a date boundary (00:00). For example, 23:00 start time to
03:00 end time would include the four hours beginning at 11:00 PM through 3:00
AM of the next day.
4. Enter the Number of Rings Before Answering (in the range of 1 to 39, inclusively;
default is 1 ring).
Billing tab
If billing calling is enabled, the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter periodically check to
see if a billing call is scheduled. If the call windows on the Modem tab are defined or Call
Anytime is enabled, the Billing Call Schedule is used to initiate a billing call. If you have
Metercat
checked to place billing calls within call windows and then specify a schedule time that
does not fall within either call window, the call will be made within the first call window
after the scheduled time.
To enter modem billing settings:
1. Select the Billing tab.
2. Check Enable Billing Calling to allow the meter to dial out to transmit billing data.
3. Check Place Billing Calls only Within Call Origination Windows (set on the Modem
tab) to only allow the meter to use the call windows.
timekeeping meter), Elster recommends unchecking Place Billing Calls only
Within Call Origination Windows because single rate demand meters use
relative time therefore call windows are not valid.
4. Enter the Phone Number (up to 60 ASCII characters) of the host computer the meter
is to dial to transmit the billing data.
Note: This phone number can be different from the number dialed for outage,
restoration or alarm calls.
5. Enter the Number of Retries the meter is to attempt to dial out (default is 5) or check
Unlimited.
Note: If you have checked to place billing calls within call windows and then specify a
schedule time that does not fall within either call window, the call will be made
within the first call window after the scheduled time.
6. To configure a billing call schedule, select one of the following options:
Metercat
a. Specify a Single Date and time at Program Time. If this option is selected, at
meter programming time the Program task’s Component tab will prompt you to
enter the Call Origination Date & Time see “Program task” on page 122.
b. Specify Call Schedule. If this option is selected, select the Repeat type:
1) Periodically (minutes) - specify Start Date, Time of Day (meter local), and
Repeat Period (in minutes).
2) Monthly - specify Time of Day (meter local) and Day of Month (in the range of
1 to 28; default is 1).
3) Weekly - specify Time of Day (meter local) and Day of Week (default is
Sunday).
4) Periodically (days) - specify Start Date, Time of Day (meter local), and Repeat
Period (in the range of 1 to 64 days; default is 1).
Note: For A3 ALPHA meters with firmware version 1.05 or less, the scheduled Time of Day
setting will be automatically set to midnight (00:00:00) at Program task execution.
Alarms tab
If alarm calling is enabled, the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter will place an alarm call
for specified alarm events.
Note: For single rate demand A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters (that is a relative
timekeeping meter), the meter will report meter times that are relative to their last
power restoration.
To enter modem alarm settings:
1. Select the Alarms tab.

Metercat
Note: In order to receive Low Outage Battery alarms calls, outage calling must be
enabled.
2. Check to Enable Alarm Calling.
3. Check to Place Alarm Calls only Within Call Origination Windows (see “Modem
tab” on page 418) to only allow the meter to use the call windows.
timekeeping meter), Elster recommends unchecking Place Alarm Calls only Within
Call Origination Windows because single rate demand meters use relative time
therefore call windows are not valid.
4. Enter Phone Number (up to 60 ASCII characters).
Note: This phone number can be different from the number dialed for outage,
restoration or billing calls.
5. Enter the Number of Retries (default is 5) the meter is to attempt to dial out or check
Unlimited.
Metercat
6. Select the Errors, Warnings, and Events that will act as an Alarm Trigger:
The following errors shall be enabled or The following warnings shall be enabled or
disabled for triggering alarm call- disabled for triggering alarm call-origination
origination, with default values of disabled:· with default values of disabled:
• General Configuration • Low Battery
• Carryover • Reverse Energy Flow
• Power fail data save • Demand Overload
• Clock • Possible Tamper
• EEPROM Access • Improper Meter Engine Operation
• Internal Communication (I2C) • Service Voltage Test Failure
• Crystal Oscillator • Service Current Test Failure
• Table CRC • Demand Threshold Exceeded
• Low Outage Battery
• Potential Indicator
• Phase A, B, or C Sag
• Phase A, B, or C Outage
• End Of Calendar
• PQM Test Failure
The following events shall be enabled or disabled for triggering alarm call-origination with
default values of disabled:
• Calendar Demand reset
• Button Press Demand reset
• Profile 1 Wrap
• Profile 2 Wrap
• Pulse Profiling Wrap
See Appendix E, “Meter Events, Errors & Warnings” for details on errors, warnings,
and events.
Note: Each alarm is only able to trigger an alarm call once every Alarm Trigger Period.
The following alarms are exceptions, they trigger an alarm every occurrence:
qualified power fail warning and power fail warning (every power fail).
Restoration tab
If restoration calling is enabled, the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter will place a call
when power is restored after an outage.
timekeeping meter), the meter will report meter times that are relative to their last
power restoration.
Note: For single rate demand A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters, all outages are
qualified and will result in a restoration call.
To enter modem power restoration settings:
1. Select the Restoration tab.

Metercat
2. Check to Enable Power Restoration Calling.

3. Check to Place Restoration Calls only Within Call Origination Windows (set in the
“Modem tab” on page 418) to only allow the meter to use the call windows.
timekeeping meter), Elster recommends unchecking Place Restoration Calls only
Within Call Origination Windows because single rate demand meters use relative
time therefore call windows are not valid.
Note: This phone number can be different from the number dialed for outage, alarm or
billing calls.
5. Enter the Number of Retries (default is 5) or check Unlimited.
Outage Modem tab

Note: This tab only applies to Port 1.
Note: For single rate demand meters, all outages are qualified and will result in a
restoration call.
Note: For single rate demand meters (that is, a relative timekeeping meter), the meter will
report meter times that are relative to their last power restoration.
If outage calling is enabled, the modem will report power failure events to the specified
phone number (for example, a distribution management system).
To enter outage settings:
1. Select the Outage Modem tab.

Metercat
Note: ITM2 and ITM3 modems cannot make outage calls unless the meter has an
outage battery installed.
Note: The ICM modem does not support outage calling.
2. Check to Enable Outage Calling to allow the modem to report power failure events.
Note: This phone number can be different from the number dialed for restoration, alarm
or billing calls.
4. Enter the Number of Retries (in the range 1 to 255, inclusively; default is 10); the
modem will attempt to complete the call until the number of retries is exhausted at
which time the modem will not attempt an outage call until a new outage event.
Note: The retries shall be 0 if outage calling is disabled.
5. Enter the Maximum Off Hook Wait Time (in the range of 1 to 120 seconds,
inclusively; default is 45 seconds).
6. Enter the Minimum Outage Time to Trigger Call (in the range of 0 to 255 seconds,
7. Enter the Minimum Time to Reset Outage Detection (in the range 0 to 255 seconds,
Note: A value of zero (0) causes the modem to make an outage call for every outage.
8. Select Outage Call Bit Rate (either 300, 1200, or 2400 bps; default is 2400 bps).
Note: The modem bit rate for an outage call can be different from the bit rate used for
billing, alarm, and restoration calls.
9. Enter Maximum Dialing Delay (in the range 0 to 510 seconds; default is 120
seconds).
10.Enter Minimum Retry Interval (in the range 0 to 1275 seconds, inclusively; default is
60 seconds).
Metercat
Note: The A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter only recognizes 5 second increments. That
is, if you set the Minimum Retry Interval to 14 seconds and program the meter with
the Remote component and then read the meter’s configuration, the Remote
component > Outage Modem tab will show the Minimum Retry Interval set to 10
seconds; if you set the Minimum Retry Interval to 16 seconds the interval will be set
to 15 seconds.
Service Test component

The Service Test component allows you to define the basic and advanced settings for the
service test component the meter will use to determine the type of service currently in use.
Some electronic meters (for example, Elster’s A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter) are
capable of measuring each phase voltage and angle to match measurements of a stored
list of valid services.
You can specify the parameters for each service (up to ten) for a meter configuration within
one component and then use that one component in all defined programs.
Metercat
Available Services
The services available for each of the indicated meter configurations are:
1 Element Portable
• 1 EL Single Phase • 3 EL 4-wire Wye
• 3 EL 4-wire Delta
2 Elements
• 3 EL Single Phase
• 2 EL Single Phase • 3 EL 4-wire Delta High Leg on Phase A
• 2 EL 3-wire Single Phase • 3 EL 4-wire Delta High Leg on Phase B
• 2 EL 3-wire Delta • 2 EL Single Phase
• 2 EL 3-wire Wye (Network) • 2 EL 3-wire Single Phase
• 2 EL 4-wire Delta • 2 EL 3-wire Delta
• 2 EL Dual Single Phase “Star” • 2 EL 3-wire Wye (Network)
2 ½ Elements • 2 EL 4-wire Delta High Leg on Phase A
• 2 ½ EL 4-wire Wye • 1 EL Single Phase
• 2 ½ EL Single Phase Note: You can only list up to ten services for the
Portable meter configuration.
3 Elements
• 3 EL 4-wire Wye
• 3 EL Single Phase
• 3 EL 4-wire Delta High Leg on Phase A
• 3 EL 4-wire Delta High Leg on Phase B
Note: If you wish to create a new component select <new> Service Test from the
Service Test drop list; you will be prompted for a name when you save the
program.
Setting Basic Service Test Parameters

The Basic Settings tab allows you to set default values for the selected meter service (see
“Setting Advanced Service Test Parameters” on page 431).
Metercat
To set basic service test parameters:
1. Select a Service Test Mode:

a. Smart Auto Lock - automatically locks, or accepts, the service found; if no valid
service is found the last locked service is kept.
b. Manual - a technician must press the demand reset button to manually accept
the service found
c. None - turns Service Test off
2. Select a Rotation Test (that is, the phase rotation that will be validated by the meter):
a. Both - service test validates either phase rotation
b. ABC only - service test validates ABC phase rotation only
c. CBA only - service test validates CBA phase rotation only
Note: If an incorrect rotation is detected, an error message will be displayed on the
meter's LCD. Refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2190) and the
A1800 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual (TM42-2410) for details.
3. Check to Run Current Test after Powerup Voltage Test if you wish to run the test.
4. Type a value (percentage of nominal) in the Phase Indicator Threshold box (range of
0.00 - 100.00).
Note: The Phase Indicator Threshold is also used in the Voltage Sag Test of PQM (see
“Voltage Sag Test” on page 389).
5. Type in values for each of the Service Voltage Tolerances: the acceptable voltage
range for the system service test (both values are a percentage of the nominal
voltage).
a. Minimum (percentage of nominal) - range of 0.00 - 100.00
b. Maximum (percentage of nominal) - range of 100.00 - 199.99
Metercat
6. Type in values for the Default Current Test Thresholds:

a. Zero Current - range 0.00 % - 39.99 %
b. Over Current - range 100.00 % - 199.95 %
c. Low Current - A phase, B phase, C phase - range 0.00 % - 39.99 %
d. Min Lagging PF (ABC order4) - A phase, B phase, C phase - range 0.00 - 1.00
e. Min Leading PF (ABC order4) - A phase, B phase, C phase - range 0.00 - 1.00
used as the threshold for lagging power factors. See also “6. Power Factor Test” on
page 395.
Setting Advanced Service Test Parameters

The Advanced Settings tab allows you to configure thresholds, warning triggers, and
recognized nominal voltages
To set advanced service test current parameters:
1. Select one of the following Meter Configurations:

Note: The selected Meter Configuration determines the Services available for testing.
You can add up to ten Services per meter configuration.
a. 2 Elements
b. 1 Element
c. 3 Elements
d. 2 1/2 Elements
e. Portable
Note: Service Test settings are configured to only detect 4-wire Delta services when the
High Leg is connected to Phase C. To detect other High Leg phases you must add a
new Service.
2. To add a new Service (up to ten), select a row with <None> specified and select a
new Service from the drop list.
3. For each service defined for the selected configuration, select the Currents tab.
4. Indicates the phase rotation is in ABC order.

Metercat
4. For each service defined for the selected configuration, uncheck if you are not Using
Default Thresholds (that is you wish to override the default values set on the Basic
Settings tab).
Note: This setting applies only to the selected service.
5. For each service defined for the selected configuration, if you are NOT using defaults,
type in values for the Current Test Thresholds:
a. Zero Current - range 0.00 % - 39.99 %
b. Over Current - range 100.00 % - 199.95 %
c. Low Current - A phase, B phase, C phase - range 0.00 % - 39.99 %
d. Min Lagging PF (ABC order5) - A phase, B phase, C phase - range 0.00 - 1.00
e. Min Leading PF (ABC order6) - A phase, B phase, C phase - range 0.00 - 1.00
used as the threshold for lagging power factors. See also “6. Power Factor Test” on
page 395.
6. For each service defined for the selected configuration, select which individual
phases will Trigger Warnings for the specified thresholds:

Metercat
1) Zero Current - A phase, B phase, C phase

2) Low Current - A phase, B phase, C phase
3) Over Current - A phase, B phase, C phase
4) Reverse Power - A phase, B phase, C phase
5) Power Factor - A phase, B phase, C phase
Note: Refer to the meter’s technical manual for details on warning codes.
7. For each service defined for the selected configuration, select the Voltages tab.
Note: Phase Voltage Percentage represents the voltage expected for that phase in
relation to the nominal service voltage for the selected service.
Note: The Voltages tab shows the expected Phase Voltage Percentages and Voltage
Phase Angles (for ABC rotation) based on the selected Service.
8. For each service defined for the selected configuration, type in values for Recognized
Nominal Service Voltages (5 maximum with a range of 0 - 6553.5).
Special Dates component

Special Dates are the collection of dates that use different switch times than would
normally be used or dates upon which special events occur. You may assign only one
Special Dates component to a program definition when creating or modifying a program.
The Special Dates component allows you to configure recurring and nonrecurring dates in
the meter.
Metercat
Note: Metercat and the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters allow multiple special dates
that fall on the same date (such as could occur by combining Recurring and
Nonrecurring dates). Metercat does not check to ensure the events for these
entries do not conflict (for example, simultaneous DST-Start and DST-End events)
and to ensure that DST-Start and DST-End events are paired (that is, for each DST-
Start there must be a DST-End). See “Troubleshooting Special Dates” on page 441
for ways to prevent special date conflicts.
To configure special dates:
1. Select an existing Special Dates component from the drop list.

— Or —
2. Select any Global Options:
a. Check to have the meter Perform Demand Reset on every Season Change; the
reset will occur at midnight on the day of each scheduled season change.
Note: By checking Perform Demand Reset on every Season Change, a demand reset
will be performed on every season change. You do not have to select demand
reset for any season change event in the Recurring Dates tab because the
demand reset will occur automatically.
Note: Refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter with Itron 50ESS ERT Product Guide (PG42-1002A) for
details on configuring special dates for an A3 ALPHA meter with 50ESS ERT.
b. Check to Enforce a maximum of <x> days between demand resets [checking
this option forces the meter to perform a demand reset if <x> days have elapsed
between demand resets].
c. Check to have the meter issue an End of calendar warning <x> days before the
end of the Nonrecurring dates calendar [checking this option causes the meter
to generate a warning <x> days (up to a maximum of 999) before the last
nonrecurring date defined in the special dates list].
3. Select the Recurring Dates tab to enter special dates that occur on the same date
every year or in a repeatable pattern (for example, New Year’s Day) as described in
“Adding a Recurring Date” on page 437.
Metercat
Note: A maximum of 35 recurring dates can be accepted by the A3 ALPHA and A1800
ALPHA meters.
4. Select the Nonrecurring Dates tab to enter special dates that do not occur on the
same date every year or in a repeatable pattern (for example, Easter) as described in
“Adding a Nonrecurring Date” on page 439.
Metercat
The Summary button on the Nonrecurring Dates tab displays:

• the expiration date for meters programmed using the selected special dates
component
• the number of remaining nonrecurring special dates that can be defined in the
selected special dates component
Note: A maximum of 255 nonrecurring dates can be accepted by the A3 ALPHA and
A1800 ALPHA meters.
Metercat
Note: Depending on your settings in System Preferences, certain special dates may
appear already defined. See “Setting holiday options” on page 47.
Adding a Recurring Date

To add a recurring date that occurs on a regular date (for example, New Year’s Day):
1. Select the Recurring Dates tab.

2. Click Add.
The Recurring Date Configuration dialog displays.
Metercat
3. If the event that you are adding is a calendar event, then you must check Calendar
Action. This will allow you to select one of the following calendar events: holiday,
season change or begin or end daylight saving time.
Note: Season change choices are determined by your System Preference settings. See
“Configuring seasons” on page 48 for details.
4. Check Self Read if the meter should perform a self read on this date.
5. Check Demand Reset if the meter should perform a demand reset on this date.
Metercat
6. Recurring dates can be defined to occur once a year, once a month, once a week, or
every N number of days:
Once a Year if the recurring date is to occur on a specific date (January 1st) or occurrence of a
date (first Sunday in April), enter the Month and Day in the Use Date parameter
and select one of the following:
1 Always on this date regardless of the day of the week.
2 On the first <day of week> on or after this date.
3 Special Rules:
• if Sunday - postpone to Monday
• if Sunday - advance to Friday
• if Saturday - postpone to Monday
• if Saturday - advance to Friday
• if Sunday or Saturday - postpone to Monday
• if Sunday or Saturday - advance to Friday
• if Sun. postpone to Monday; if Sat. advance to Friday
Examples:
• first Sunday in April: Month=April; Day=1; on the first Sunday on or after this
date
• last Sunday in October: Month=October; Day=25; on the first Sunday on or
after this date
Once a Month if the recurring date is to occur on the same day every month, enter Every for the
Month and a Day in the Use Date parameter and select one of the following:
1 Always on this date regardless of the day of the week.
2 On the first <day of week> on or after this date.
3 Special rules:
• if Sunday - postpone to Monday
• if Sunday - advance to Friday
• if Saturday - postpone to Monday
• if Saturday - advance to Friday
• if Sunday or Saturday - postpone to Monday
• if Sunday or Saturday - advance to Friday
• if Sunday postpone to Monday; if Saturday advance to Friday
Examples:
• first Monday in each month: Month=Every; Day=1; on the first Monday on or
after this date
• last Sunday in each month: Month=Every; Day=25; on the first Sunday on or
after this date
Once a Week if the recurring date occurs on the same day every week, select Every week on
<day of week>.
Every N days if the recurring data occurs every <n> number of days, select Every N days,
starting <date> and specify the frequency of days and the date of the first event.
7. Click OK to complete the definition or click Cancel to return to Metercat without

saving the recurring date.
Adding a Nonrecurring Date

Note: Metercat will generate Easter, Good Friday, or Monday after Easter dates if
specified in System Preferences (see “Setting holiday options” on page 47).
To add a nonrecurring date that occurs on an irregular date (for example, Easter):
1. Select the Nonrecurring Dates tab.

2. Click Add.
The Nonrecurring Date Configuration dialog displays.
Metercat
3. Select or enter the Date for the nonrecurring date.

4. Check Calendar Action if the new nonrecurring date is a holiday, season change, or
involves Daylight Saving Time.
a. Holiday - applies holiday rates to the specified date.
b. Season Change - select the season that should begin on the specified date.
Note: Season change choices are determined by your System Preference settings. See
“Configuring seasons” on page 48 for details.
c. Start Daylight Saving Time - the meter will advance the clock one hour on the
specified date.
Caution: Each Start Daylight Saving Time event should have a
corresponding End Daylight Saving Time event.
d. End Daylight Saving Time - the meter will move the clock back one hour on the
specified date.
5. Check Self Read if you wish the meter to perform a self read on this date.
6. Check Demand Reset if you wish the meter to perform a demand reset on this date.
7. Click OK to complete the definition or click Cancel to return to Metercat without
saving the nonrecurring date.
Note: The A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters accept up to 255 nonrecurring dates. The
Program Completion Report indicates the maximum number of nonrecurring
dates that the meter has accepted and the last nonrecurring date programmed
into the meter.
Metercat
Troubleshooting Special Dates

Metercat and the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters allow multiple special dates that fall
on the same date (such as could occur by combining Recurring and Nonrecurring dates).
Additionally, Metercat does not check to ensure that Daylight Saving Time events are
paired (that is, each Start has a corresponding End).
To avoid troublesome date configurations:
• review the Recurring dates and the Nonrecurring dates to ensure that a date does
not appear more than once in a list
• ensure that each Start Daylight Saving Time has a corresponding End Daylight
Saving Time
Special Features component

The Special Features component allows you to configure special features.
To configure special features:
1. Select an existing Special Features component from the drop list.

— Or —
2. Type a time for the Demand Reset Lockout Time (range of 0 to 255 minutes).
3. Check to enable the meter to Perform Self Read on Every Demand Reset.
Note: Check to have demand only meters perform self reads.
Metercat
Special Option Board component

The Special Option Board component allows you to configure third-party special option
boards conforming to Elster design specifications.
To configure a special option board:
1. Select an existing Special Option Board component from the drop list.
— Or —
2. Select the Special Option Board Format from the drop list:
• Itron 50ESS ERT
• ACB (Advanced Communications Board)
Note: The ACB is supported by firmware versions 1.7 and higher of the A1800 ALPHA
meter and is supported by firmware versions 3.4 and higher of the A3 ALPHA
meters. Firmware versions prior to this do not support the ACB option board.
3. Select the desired configuration options.
Note: For the 50ESS ERT option board, the Special Option Board view will only display the
first 16 characters of the Special Option Board component name (that is, Metercat
Component ID).
Note: Refer to the HTML files located in the C:\Program Files\Elster\Metercat\SpOBDefs
folder (where C: is the drive where Metercat is installed) for information on specific
special option boards and their configuration.
Metercat
Switch Times component

The Switch Times component allows you to define up to 80 (A3 ALPHA meter) or 132 (A1800
ALPHA meter) switch times for the rates that the meter will support.
The number of switch times you can configure depends on the following settings:
1. Meter family (A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA)

2. Number of Seasons:
• defined in System Preference > Dates and Rates (“Configuring seasons” on
page 48)
• defined in the Rates > Switch Times component
3. Automatically Generate Midnight Switches settings:
• defined in System Preference > Dates and Rates > Automatically Generate
Midnight Switches for All Rates Components setting (“Configuring seasons” on
page 48)
• defined in the Switch Times component
For A3 ALPHA meters with firmware version 3.0 or higher, in the event that the meter’s
battery fails during a power outage and power is restored, the meter will use Rate C (this
value is programmed into the meter by Elster manufacturing) for storing data.
For A3 ALPHA meters with firmware version of 3.0 or higher and all firmware versions of
the A1800 ALPHA meter, in the event that the meter’s battery fails during a power outage
and power is restored, the meter will use the Default Rate specified in the Switch Times
component for storing data.
However, If you execute the Replace Rates and Dates task with an Effective Date that is in
the future and change the Default Rate to a different value, the Power Fail Default Rate is
not changed (but the Switch Times Default Rate is changed). The Power Fail Default Rate
value can be changed only when the meter is reprogrammed or a Replace Rates and
Dates task is executed with an Effective Date of today (that is immediately replaced).
Metercat
To set the switch times in the meter:
1. Select an existing Rates component from the drop list.

— Or —
2. Select the Default Rate that will go into effect every night at midnight (A, B, C or D).
Note: If Metercat is configured to automatically generate midnight switch times (see
“Configuring seasons” on page 48), all season/day type combinations will use the
Default Rate at midnight unless a switch time with a different rate is specified for
a given season and day type.
3. To add a new switch time (or override the default switch time), click Add or to change
an existing switch time click in the specific table cell; select the specific information for
when the switch time should occur:
a. Select the Season from the drop list.
Note: See “Configuring seasons” on page 48 for details on setting Season names.
Note: A switch time for a particular season is only valid if you specify Season change to
<season> in the Special Dates component.
b. Select the Day Type (Weekday, Weekend, Holiday, or Special) from the drop list.
Note: A switch time for a particular day type is only valid if you specify the Day Type in
the Day Types component.
c. Enter the Start Time in hh:mm format (24-hour clock) and on a 5 minute boundary
(that is, mm is evenly divisible by 5).
Note: Use 00:00 for 12 AM and 12:00 for 12 PM.
d. Select the Rate (A, B, C, or D) from the drop list.
Metercat
Note: The A3 ALPHA meter allows a maximum of 80 switch times. However, Elster
Manufacturing predefines 16 midnight switch times (four seasons × four day types)
which define the meter’s default rate at midnight. Therefore, unless you explicitly
define the 16 midnight switch times, you can only define a maximum of 64 switch
times.
Additionally, if you define more than four seasons and have Metercat configured to
automatically generate midnight switch times (Chapter 5, “Setting system
preferences”), the number of generated switch times will be greater than 16
(number of seasons × four day types).
4. To remove a switch time, select the row from the switch time list and click Remove.
A set of counters next to the switch times list indicates the number of switches
created by the user, number of generated, and the total of switches and the
available number of switches (by meter family).
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 446 A. Glossary
A Glossary
Adjusted Kd
Also known as the demand constant.
Adjusted Ke
Also known as the pulse constant or KYZ output constant. Ke value used by the meter to
convert pulses to unit-hours. Adjusted Ke is calculated and programmed by Metercat. See
Factory Ke.
Adjusted Kh
Also known as the watthour constant. Kh value used by the meter to convert energy pulses
to watthours. Metercat allows Adjusted Kh to be programmed into the meter. See Factory
Metercat
Kh.
Apparent (K)
See apparent power.
Alarm Indication
One or more of the following alarm conditions that will trigger the relay:
Error - General Configuration Warning - End Of Calendar

Error - Carryover Warning - Improper Meter Engine Operation
Error - Power fail data save Warning - Service Voltage Test Failure
Error - Clock Warning - Service Current Test Failure
Error - EEPROM Access Event - Pulse Profiling Wrap
Error - Internal Communication (I2C) Event - Profile 1 Wrap
Error - Crystal Oscillator Event - Profile 2 Wrap
Warning - Low Battery Event - Event Log Wrap
Warning - Potential Indicator Event - History Log Wrap
Warning - Reverse Energy Flow Event - Rate Override
Warning - Demand Overload
Warning - Possible Tamper
Alarm Trigger
Error, warnings, and events that trigger an alarm call.
The following errors shall be enabled or The following warnings shall be enabled or
disabled for triggering alarm call-origination, disabled for triggering alarm call-origination
with default values of disabled:· with default values of disabled:
• General Configuration • Low Battery
• Carryover • Reverse Energy Flow
• Power fail data save • Demand Overload
• Clock • Low Outage Battery
• EEPROM Access • Possible Tamper
• Internal Communication (I2C) • End Of Calendar
• Crystal Oscillator • PQM Test Failure
• Table CRC • Improper Meter Engine Operation
• Service Voltage Test Failure
• Service Current Test Failure
• Demand Threshold Exceeded
• Potential Indicator
• Phase A, B, or C Sag
• Phase A, B, or C Outage
The following events shall be enabled or disabled for triggering alarm call-origination with default
values of disabled:
• Pulse Profiling Wrap
• Calendar Demand reset
• Button Press Demand reset
• Profile 1 Wrap
• Profile 2 Wrap
Alarm Trigger Period

Each alarm is only able to trigger an alarm call once every specified period. The values are
1 to 24 hours in one hour increments with a default value of 24 hours. The following alarms
are exceptions, they trigger an alarm every occurrence: Calendar Initiated Demand Reset,
Button Press Demand Reset, qualified power fail warning, and power fail warning (every
power fail).
ALPHA Keys
A system combining hardware and software to upgrade existing electronic meters (for
example, A3 ALPHA meter). Keys allow addition of new functionality to an existing meter
for an additional fee.
alternate mode
Alternate mode displays a second set of quantities on the LCD. The alternate mode is most
Metercat
often used for displaying non–tariff data, but it can be programmed to display any of the
available quantities.
answer windows
The allowable time periods to accept calls. Answer windows length is between 00:01 and
23:59.
apparent power
Also known as kVA, equal to Voltage Current or the amount of apparent work (without loss
due to inefficiency).
autoread period
Either the number of days between each automatic reading of the meter or the day of the
month upon which each reading is to occur.
average power factor
The average power factor (PF) calculated from the kWh and kVAh accumulated since the
last demand reset.
billing data
Metered quantities used for billing.
Bit Rate range
The modem will attempt communications using the maximum bit rate and if a connection
is not successful, the modem will step down the bit rate and attempt to connect. The
modem will continue to step down the bit rate until the minimum bit rate is tried. If
communications is not successful, the session will fail.
call windows
The allowable time periods to place billing, alarm, or restoration calls. Call windows length
is between 00:01 and 23:59.
Charge Up Delay
The length of time to wait before sending the modem initialization string. A default value of
zero means no delay [primarily intended for communication with devices other than a
modem (for example, a radio transmitter might require time to charge up after a power
outage before it can transmit)].
class amps
the maximum rated current a meter is designed to handle.
Coincident
The recording of a specified demand and power factor (if available) at the time of another
specified peak demand. For example, coincident kVAR Demand is the kVAR Demand
occurring during the interval of peak kW Demand.
communication session count
The number of data–altering communications occurring since the A3 ALPHA meter was
last programmed or was cleared of stored values and statuses.
complete LCD test
A display showing 8 in all the digit display areas and all annunciators on the LCD turned
on. This confirms that all segments are operating properly.
component
A meter configuration program is subdivided into several components. Taken together,
these components form a complete configuration for a meter. These components may be
shared among programs. Sharing promotes more modularity in the process of program
development and management.
Component Editor
The tool within Metercat that enables a user to view and edit an individual component
outside of the context of the entire meter configuration program.
continuous cumulative
A display technique used with Demand calculations and similar to cumulative Demand.
The difference is that upon Demand reset, the continuous cumulative Demand becomes
the new base to which the new Demand will be added.
Cumulative Demand
Measurement that provides a security feature indicating if unauthorized demand resets
have occurred. Used to describe a method for storing and displaying demand data. For
example, upon demand reset, the present Maximum Demand is added to the sum of the
Metercat
previous maximum billing period Demand values.

Cumulative Demand Type
Whether cumulative demand data is collected when a demand reset occurs or
continuously.
current transformer (CT) ratio
Also known as CTR or CT ratio, the ratio of the primary current to the secondary current of a
current transformer. For example, 400A to 5A would have a current transformer ratio of
400:5 or 80:1. This value is programmable in the field by Metercat, and it is used by the
meter to convert instrumentation values to primary values. This value is not used directly by
the meter to compute energy values, but it is used to compute Adjusted Ke in primary
metering applications.
Dialing Timeout
Specifies the duration (in seconds) of allowed inactivity between dialed digits. If the limit is
exceeded, the dialing process will timeout.
day types
The assignment of actual days of the week (Monday-Friday), Saturdays, Sundays, and
Holidays to one of four categories (that is, day types): Weekday, Weekend, Holiday, and
Special; have associated rate switch times (see switch times).
delivered (Del)
Used to specify the energy delivered (provided) to an electric service.
demand
The average power (kWh) computed over a specific time.
Demand Forgiveness Outage Time
The minimum time span (in minutes) for a power outage required to initiate a demand
forgiveness period.
Demand Forgiveness Time
The time span (in minutes) during which maximum demand is not calculated following an
outage. The forgiveness period begins as soon as power is restored. The default value of
zero minutes disables this function.
demand interval
The time period over which Demand is calculated. Demand interval must be evenly
divisible into 60 minutes.
demand only meter
An A3D meter or any other meter type that has been programmed as a demand meter.
See also TOU meter.
demand reset
The act of resetting the present Maximum Demand to zero.
demand reset count
The total number of Demand resets since the meter was last programmed.
demand reset date
The date of the last Demand reset.
Demand Reset Lockout Time
The amount of time the meter is locked after performing a demand reset. If set to zero (0),
the meter will not lock.
demand threshold
The present value of Demand which when reached initiates a relay closure or other
programmed action.
Device ID
The remote number for identifying each port; one (1) for the master; should be 1 for all
applications where the meter has a dedicated communications link (for example, a
modem); should be in the range of 2-254 in applications where multiple meters (but not
Metercat
the master) share a common communications link (for example, a modem sharing unit).
direct metering
Primary Metering with a Register Multiplier equal to 1.0.
display quantity
Any value available for display on the LCD.
DTR
Data terminal ready.
EEPROM
Acronym for electrically erasable read only memory. This memory retains all information
even when electric power is removed from the circuit (said to be nonvolatile).
Effective Date
The date on which the program will take effect.
Enable Large Timeouts
Enables a response timeout of 15 seconds for C12.21 communications; otherwise, the
meter will use the default timeout of 4 seconds.
end of interval
Also known as EOI, the indication that the end of the time interval used to calculate
Demand has occurred. An EOI indicator is on the LCD and an optional relay can be
supplied to provide an EOI indication.
energy
Also known as Wh, is power measured over a period of time (Power × Time).
energy decimal places
See register multiplier.
error display
The method by which the meter displays an error message which consists of Er and
numeric codes. The code indicates a condition or conditions that can adversely affect the
proper operation of the meter.
Escape Sequence Inter-character Delay
For A3 ALPHA meters using a CDPD (cellular digital packet data) modem, the escape
sequence for inter–character delay (that is, the length of time required to switch the
modem from transmission mode to command mode).
event log
The event log records the date and time of demand resets, power failures, time changes of
the meter clock, and test mode entries. Demand only meters store a sequential listing of
events; TOU meters store the date and time that events occur. Some events consist of two
distinct events (such as a power outage which has a begin-outage event and an end-
outage event) and result in two event-records.
Exponential Response
Also known as thermal (lagged) demand. Thermal response demand provides a
continuous logarithmic average of the load with a time characteristic of 15 minutes; 15
minutes after application of a constant load, the demand indication will be 90% of the final
value.
Extended Memory Option Board
An option board that increases total memory in the meter by 1 MB.
external dial multiplier
Used when the transformer factor is larger than can be stored within the A3 ALPHA meter.
When programmed with Elster meter support software for an external dial multiplier,
display quantities read from the meter LCD must be manually multiplied by this value to
yield proper readings.
factory default
Operating parameters that are programmed into the meter at the factory and assure that
the meter is ready for correct energy measurement when installed.
Factory Ke
Ke value set in the meter at the factory. Factory Ke is not programmable in the field by
Metercat
Metercat and it is not used by the meter to compute energy. See Ke and Adjusted Ke.
Factory Kh
Kh value set in the meter at the factory. Factory Kh is not programmable in the field by
Metercat. See Adjusted Kh.
four quadrant metering
The figure below illustrates energy relationships for delivered and received real power
(kW), apparent power (kVA), and reactive power (kVAR).
function shortcut
A key or a sequence of keys that when pressed will trigger the execution of a Metercat-
defined function.
history log
The history log records the date, time, and which areas of the meter programming were
altered. The history log stores table information and procedure ID for configuration-altering
writes to the meter. Demand only meters store a sequential listing of records; TOU meters
record the date and time. The meter records this information as an audit trail, maintaining
a history of programming changes made to the meter.
Hold Time
The length of time that an item remains visible on the meter’s LCD display.
ICM
Internal cellular modem. Elster’s internal cellular modem was introduced in 2003.
ILC1
Internal LAN Controller release 1. The ILC1 in combination with the ITM3 allows an
A3 ALPHA meter to act as a meter/collector for a collection of REX meters and other meters
equipped with the ILN1 as part of the EnergyAxis System.
ILN1
Internal LAN Node release 1. The option board allows an A3 ALPHA meter to communicate
with a collector as part of the EnergyAxis System.
Inactivity Timeout
The number of minutes (during a remote communication session) Metercat will wait for a
response from the modem.
Initial Dialing Delay
The maximum length of time the modem pauses between initiating a call and starting to
dial the number. The actual delay time is a random number of minutes between 0 and this
value.
Instrumentation Profiling
The A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter can record up to 16 channels of instrumentation
Metercat
data per set for the following quantities:
A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meters

per phase voltage per phase voltage % THD1
per phase current
per phase current % THD1
per phase kW
per phase kVAR per phase TDD1
per phase kVA system kW
per phase voltage angle system kVAR - vectorial
per phase current angle system kVAR - arithmetic
system kVA - vectorial
per phase PF1
system kVA - arithmetic
per phase PF angle1
system PF - vectorial1
per phase fundamental current
per phase 2nd harmonic current system PF - arithmetic1
per phase harmonic current (2nd – 15th) system PF angle - vectorial1
per phase 2nd harmonic current magnitude system PF angle - arithmetic1
per phase fundamental voltage line frequency
per phase 2nd harmonic voltage magnitude
per phase 2nd harmonic voltage %1
1. This measurement cannot be recorded using the Average algorithm.
A1800 ALPHA reactive meters

kWh-Del kVAh-Q4
kWh-Rec KVAh-(Q1-Q4)
kWh-Sum KVAh-(Q2-Q3)
kWh-Net KVAh-(Q3-Q2)
kVAh-Del kVARh-Q1
kVAh-Rec kVARh-Q2
kVAh-Sum kVARh-Q3
kVARh-Del kVARh-Q4
kVARh-Rec kVARh-(Q1+Q4)
kVARh-Sum kVARh-(Q2+Q3)
kVARh-Net KVARh-(Q1-Q4)
kVAh-Q3
Interval
The demand interval must be evenly divisible by the demand subinterval and evenly
divisible into 60.
interval data
Also known as interval or load profiling, load profile records energy usage per a specific
time interval while the meter is energized. Load profile data provides a 24 hour record of
energy usage for each day of the tariff period.
Interval length
Specifies the length of the profiling interval; zero (0) disables interval data recording.
ITM1
Internal telephone modem release 1. Elster’s first internal telephone modem was
introduced in 1995.
ITM2
Internal telephone modem release 2. Elster’s second internal telephone modem was
introduced in 1997. It was Elster’s first meter to be capable of placing calls to indicate that a
power outage has occurred.
ITM3
Internal telephone modem release 3. Elster’s third release of the internal telephone
modem introduced in 2003. This is the first telephone modem to include extended
Metercat
memory (available only to A3 ALPHA meters) in addition to outage reporting capabilities.

Intrusion Detection
The A3 ALPHA meter with ITM3, when it attempts to dial out, can detect when the phone
line is busy or, during a communication session, can detect when someone (or another
device) picks up an extension and will hang up to free the telephone line.
Ke
Also known as the pulse constant and KYZ output constant. The amount of energy per
pulse available within the meter.
Kd
Also known as the demand constant. Directly related to Ke (pulse constant) and is
dependent on the user-configured demand interval length; represents units per pulse per
demand interval depending on the measured quantity to which you are referring (watts,
VA, or VAR).
Kh
Also known as the watthour constant. A meter constant representing the watthours per
output pulse on the optical port. Historically, Kh represents the energy equivalent to one
revolution of an electromechanical meter.
kVA
Kilovolt Ampere; for A3K (see apparent power) meters; kVA quantities (both delivered and
received) are recorded from the kVAh input lines.
kVAR
Kilovolt Ampere Reactive; for A3R (see reactive power) meters; kVAR quantities (delivered or
received) are recorded from the VARh input lines and further segregated with respect to
the last Wh pulse received. Delivered VARh pulses are divided into Quadrant 1 and
Quadrant 2 quantities and are based on the last Wh pulse received. Received VARh pulses
are divided into Quadrant 3 and Quadrant 4 quantities and are based on the last Wh
pulse received. Whenever more than one quadrant is referred to in a quantity, the result is
the sum of the quantities in both quadrants.
kW
Kilowatt; kW quantities are recorded directly from delivered or received Wh input lines.
kW overload value
The kW threshold which, when exceeded, will cause the display of the kW overload
warning message.
KYZ Divisor
Also known as energy pulse divisor. An integer between 1 and 999 that is used to scale the
Factory Ke pulses for relay pulse outputs.
KYZ Value
A number that is between 0.000001 and 100.000000 and greater than the meter’s Factory
Ke that represents the energy pulse value (in kilo units) per pulse for relay outputs.
LAN ID
A unique number of up to ten digits (maximum value is 2147483647) that appears on the
meter/collector’s nameplate and identifies the particular collector and the meters that are
registered to it.
light emitting diode (LED)
A small light that turns on and off (for example, a light that blinks as a hard drive is
accessed). ALPHA meters use an infrared LED which cannot be seen with the naked eye.
line frequency
The frequency of the AC current on the transmission line, often used in timekeeping
applications in lieu of the internal oscillator. Depending upon the country or region, the line
frequency is either 50Hz or 60Hz.
Line Sharing
When the A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA meter has an ITM3 with the RS-485 option board, the
meter can act like a MSU (modem sharing unit) with other connected meters (via RS-485),
therefore line sharing should be enabled. Additionally, if the meter has an ITM3 and an
ILC1 option board, the meter can act like a meter/collector within the EnergyAxis System
Metercat
900 MHz network.

liquid crystal display (LCD)
The liquid crystal display allows metered quantities and other information about the A3
ALPHA meter and installed service to be viewed. Display quantities are programmable
through Elster meter support software.
load control
Also known as LC, used to describe a relay dedicated to operate based upon entering a
specific TOU rate period or when a Demand threshold is reached.
Low Current
The per phase low current per phase value will cause the Service Current test to fail and
display an error on the meter’s display when any single phase is below the programmed
low current limit. The value is expressed as a percent of meter class amps. If all phases are
below the absolute minimum current threshold, the low and missing current failure will not
be reported. It is assumed that this is a valid, no-load condition. The exception to this
assumption is for a 1-element meter. In this case, the low and zero current warnings will
display if the condition exists.
Low Current Threshold
Indicates the threshold defined for detecting an under current condition on this phase.
Maximum Demand
The highest demand calculated during any demand interval over a tariff period.
Maximum Duration
The maximum time that the condition can exist and be logged. Should the condition exist
for longer than this time, it will not be considered a sag event and will not be logged.
Metering Application
See primary metering and secondary metering.
Min Lagging PF
The minimum lagging power factor threshold below which a lagging power factor will
cause a low power factor system service current test failure. Please refer to the A3 ALPHA
Meter Technical Manual for more details. The phase angle is inversely proportional to the
Power Factor (PF =Cosine theta) [where theta is the angle between the given phase's
voltage and current].
Min Leading PF
The minimum leading power factor threshold below which a leading power factor will
cause a low power factor system service current test failure. Please refer to the A3 ALPHA
Meter Technical Manual for more details. The phase angle is inversely proportional to the
Power Factor (PF =Cosine theta) [where theta is the angle between the given phase's
voltage and current].
Minimum Duration
The minimum time that the condition must exist to be logged.
Minimum Outage Time to Trigger Call
The minimum length of time of the outage before the outage modem attempts to place an
outage call.
Minimum Retry Delay
The minimum number of minutes the meter waits between call-in retry attempts within the
call-in window. The time between attempts will actually be a random number between
this value and the Maximum Retry Delay. Setting the Minimum and Maximum Retry Delays
to the same number will specify a fixed retry interval.
Minimum Retry Interval
The minimum length of time between attempts made by the modem to successfully
complete an outage call.
Minimum Time to Reset Outage Detection
Minimum amount of time between power outages required to trigger an outage call by
the internal modem.
Maximum Dialing Delay
The maximum number of seconds the internal modem waits before attempting to place
Metercat
an outage call.
Maximum Retry Delay
The maximum number of minutes the meter waits between call-in retry attempts within
the call-in window. The time between attempts will actually be a random number between
the Minimum Retry Delay and this value. Setting the Minimum and Maximum Retry Delays
to the same number will specify a fixed retry interval.
Maximum Off Hook Wait Time
The maximum length of time the internal modem waits off hook in an attempt to place an
outage call. If the call is not successful, the modem hangs up and schedules another call
attempt.
Modem Init String
The modem initialization string is the list of commands that the software sends to the
modem to initialize it and prepare it for a connection. The modem init string typically sets
options such as speed, error correction, compression, various timeout values, and how to
display results to you.
MSU
Modem Sharing Unit.
Multiple Meter Installation (MM)
More than one meter accessible at this phone number (for example, meters attached to a
MSU).
Net
Delivered quantity – Received quantity.
nonrecurring dates
Holidays or other special dates that do not occur on the same date every year or in a
repeatable pattern (for example, Easter).
normal mode
The default operating mode for a meter. Typically, normal mode displays tariff data on the
LCD following a programmed sequence.
optical port
A photo–transistor and an LED on the face of the meter that is used to transfer data
between a computer and the meter via pulses of light.
Over Current
The current threshold at which the meter detects an over current condition will trigger the
Service Current test to fail and display an error on the meter’s display when any single
phase is over the programmed over current limit. The value is expressed as a percent of
meter class.
Overload
Occurs when the demand value exceeds the programmed overload value. It is generally
intended to inform a utility when the installation is requiring more power than the service
equipment was originally designed to handle. When this warning occurs, an error of F1
010000 is displayed in the meter (refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual, TM42-
2190, for details). If you do not want a kW overload flag, enter all zeros (for example,
000000, 00000.0, or 0000.00).
If the demand overload value has been set lower than appropriate for the installation, this
value can be changed by executing a function that includes a Change Demand Overload
task or by reprogramming the meter with a higher overload value.
Packet Retries
The maximum number of times a packet can be sent to the recipient without receiving an
acknowledgement of receipt. When the packet has been resent the maximum number of
retries, the transmission fails with a communication error.
Packet Size
Size of a block of data transmitted over a communication network ensuring reliability and
efficiency of transmission.
Perform Self Read on Every Demand Reset
Select this option to have the meter perform a self read at every demand reset regardless
of how the demand reset is initiated (using the RESET button, using a communication
command, or using the meter calendar). This option must be selected if self reads are
Metercat
desired on a meter configured for demand only (no timekeeping) operation. For meters
with timekeeping, self reads can also be triggered by placing “self read” action entries in
the meter calendar. Note that in some circumstances, it might be desirable to have self
reads triggered only by the meter calendar and not by manual (button press or
communicated) demand resets.
Phase Indicator Threshold
The phase indicator threshold is the voltage level below which a phase voltage is defined
as not being present. The threshold value is given as a percentage of the lowest per phase
nominal voltage. For example, on a 240V, 3-element, 4-wire delta service, the nominal
phase voltages are 120V and 208V. If 90 % is selected as the threshold, the voltage
threshold is 90 % of 120V, or 108V, for all phases. When the phase indicator threshold is
exceeded the phase indicators on the display will blink and a warning will also be
displayed (and if alarm calling is enabled an alarm call will be initiated). The phase
indicator threshold is also used to define the voltage level for sags.
Power Factor
The active power divided by apparent power; used to determine leading
(overcompensated) or lagging (inefficient) power usage.
power outage log
Display quantity that shows the cumulative total outage time in minutes.
PQM
power quality monitoring.
PQM log
Also known as the Power Quality Monitoring log, Demand only meters store a sequential
list of records; TOU meters record: 1) the date and time when the PQM first detects a failure
and the PQM number of the monitor; 2) the date and time when the PQM no longer detects
a failure and the PQM number of the monitor. Refer to the A3 ALPHA Meter Technical
Manual for details on PQM identifiers.
PQM Version
Factory code indicating the version of the PQM test configuration (that is, configured PQM
tests) supported by meter.
previous billing data
Used to describe the tariff–related data recorded at the Demand reset.
previous season data
Used to describe the tariff–related data for the season preceding the present tariff season.
primary metering
The measured energy and demand quantities multiplied by voltage and current
transformer ratios for the particular meter location. The displayed quantities reflect energy
and demand on the primary side of the instrument transformers.
primary rated
A condition where the energy and demand as measured by the meter are increased by
the current and voltage transformer ratios. Meter data will reflect the energy and Demand
actually transferred on the primary side of the instrument transformers.
program
A meter program is the complete set of configuration settings that define the meter's
operation. This is not to be confused with the firmware program that resides in the meter's
memory, but instead it is the configurable settings that customize the meter's operation.
Program Editor
The tool within Metercat that enables a user to view and edit the contents of a meter
configuration program. Components are presented within the context of the program this
means that the meter family, type, and program function are known. The presentation of
these components is adjusted to conform to the program context.
program change date
The date when the meter program was last changed.
Pulse Divisor
Also known as Scaling Factor or Interval Scaling Factor; the divisor used to scale down
Metercat
interval-by-interval input pulses for storage in the meter.

pulse ratio (P/R)
The number of pulses per equivalent disk revolution; on Elster ALPHA meters, 1 revolution is
equal to 1 Kh period.
pulse relay
A relay used with the meter to provide output pulses from the meter to an external pulse
collector. Each pulse represents a specific amount of energy consumption.
Rate Threshold
See Threshold.
Reactive (R)
See reactive power.
reactive power
Also known as kVAR; the amount of work lost due to inefficiency or the difference between
real power and apparent power.
real power
Also known as active power or kW, the actual rate of usage or the actual amount of work
performed.
received (Rec)
Used to specify the energy received by the utility at an electric service.
recurring dates
Holidays or other special dates that occur on a the same date every year or in a
repeatable pattern (for example, New Year’s Day); recurring days include season change
days, and daylight saving time (DST) adjustment days.
register multiplier
Also known as: register constant, dial constant, dial multiplier, external multiplier, and
reading multiplier. The value that indicates the number of decimal places (for example, 0.1,
1, 10, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000, or 1000000) that the meter uses to adjust its programmed
Ke value to obtain a calculated value that can be stored in the meter without losing
significant digits. An artificial external multiplier applied to readings. Since this value is
multiplied by the reading to yield a scaled reading, Metercat must divide the Factory Ke by
this value to produce the reading that eventually will be scaled externally. The register
multiplier may be applied to Factory Ke whether the metering application is primary or
secondary.
relative timekeeping meter
A meter which keeps time relative to its last power restoration (usually refers to a single
rate demand meter that does not have a clock).
relay options
Certain meters coming equipped with option board(s) containing configurable relay
outputs that trigger under specified conditions (for example, KYZ, cold load pickup, etc.).
remote
Used to configure remote communications using a modem.
RTS
Request to send.
Sag log
See Voltage Sag Log.
season change
The date and time when a season change occurs (for example, from Spring to Summer).
secondary metering
Secondary metering does not use the voltage or current transformer ratios in calculating
Adjusted Ke (unlike primary metering). The displayed quantities reflect the energy and
demand on the secondary side of the instrument transformers even if the ratios are
programmed into the meter.
Security Call Back
When the meter answers a call within its answer window, the only allowed communication
is a request for a return call (that is, the meter calls back to the system using the specified
phone number). The meter will immediately call back after the current call is disconnected.
Metercat
This way a potential tamperer could not access the meter even if they happened to get
both the meter phone number and the meter password because the meter will
immediately hang up and dial the specified billing or alarm phone number.
self read
Self read captures the current billing data and stores it in memory (a maximum of 15 self
reads can be stored in the A3 ALPHA meter) so that data can be collected or compared at
a later date. A self read can be triggered by a calendar event (Special Date) in TOU meters
or by a demand reset in any A3 ALPHA meter. To program a meter to perform a self read
on a demand reset see “Special Features component” on page 441.
Set Version
Factory code indicating which tests are configured as a test set from tests supported by the
meter. One PQM Version can have many test sets with different Set Versions. Metercat 1.5
supports only Set Version 1.0.
special characters
Includes: ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + = - < > ?. Elster recommends that you not use |(pipe),
\(back slash), /(forward slash), and .(period) in identification numbers because they are
reserved characters for most operating system.
special dates
Listing of defined recurring and nonrecurring dates.
special option board
An option board (internal to the meter) which provides additional features and/or
functionality to the meter. An example is the Itron® 50ESS ERT.
Sportster Delay
If the host computer is using a US Robotics Sportster modem, the A3 ALPHA meter will
insert a delay character into the data transmission to prevent data corruption at the host
end.
Subinterval
Subintervals are used to calculate rolling demand and also contain an end of interval
boundary. The demand interval must be evenly divisible by the demand subinterval. A
maximum of 15 subintervals is allowed. The default value is 15 minutes. Block interval
demand is calculated only if the subinterval size equals the interval size.
Sum
Delivered quantity + Received quantity.
switch times
Those times of day at which demand and energy information will begin being allocated to
a particular rate type (A, B, C, or D) for a given day type within a given season.
tariff data
See billing data.
test mode
The test mode stores tariff data in a secure memory location while the meter measures
and displays energy and demand data for testing purposes. The TEST annunciator will
flash while the test mode is active. When test mode is exited, the accumulated test data is
discarded and the original tariff data is restored.
TDD
Total demand distortion; distortion based on the root mean square value of the
fundamental current component at maximum demand.
THD
Total harmonic distortion; distortion based on the nominal system voltage; the effect of
nonlinear loads (such as, copiers, fax machines, computers, etc.) on the linear sine
waveform of the current or the voltage in an electrical power system. Distortion can result
in communication errors, overheating (for example, transformer overheating and/or
failing, tripping of circuit breakers and burning out of electrical connectors) and
consequent hardware damage.
Threshold
The demand value(s) (kW, kVAR, or kVA) to be used to trigger the closing of a load control or
Metercat
customer alert relay.

time of use (TOU)
A billing rate that records energy usage and Demand data related to specific times during
the day; may also use season changes and special dates (for example, holidays).
TOU meter
An A3T, A3K, A3Q, or A3R meter that is programmed to record energy usage and demand
data on a TOU basis. See also demand only meter.
timekeeping
The ability of the meter to record the time of the day.
Timeout
The length of time the modem will wait for a signal before retrying the communication.
transformer–rated
A meter designed to work with current or voltage transformers. The maximum current of a
transformer–rated A3 ALPHA meter is typically 20A.
transformer factor
The combined factor of the current transformer ratio multiplied by the voltage transformer
ratio.
Turnaround Delay
The minimum length of time between the last byte of data has been received and the ACK
character is transmitted by the meter. This parameter is usually needed for half-duplex
media (radio frequency).
Voltage Angle
Indicates the voltage angle present on the phase.
Voltage Sag Log
Meters with power quality monitoring capabilities can record the date, time and phase of
a voltage sag event. If multiple voltage sags occur in the same phase within one second
only a single event is recorded in the log. Demand only meters provide a sequential list of
sag log events; TOU meters record the date, time, and phases of any detected voltage
sags. The log records a maximum of 1 entry per second.
voltage transformer (VT) ratio
Also known as VTR or VT ratio, the ratio of primary voltage to secondary voltage of a
transformer. For example, 12,000V to 120V would have a voltage transformer ratio of 100:1.
This value is programmable in the field by Metercat, and it is used by the meter to convert
instrumentation values to primary values. This value is not used directly by the meter to
compute energy values, but it is used to compute Adjusted Ke in primary metering
applications.
Zero Current
The zero current threshold is the value below which the meter rounds non-zero current
values to zero. The threshold is a percentage of the meter class.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 460 B. Report Samples
B Report Samples
This appendix contains examples of the following reports:
• Viewset Report
• Program Report
• Function Completion Report
• Import Activities Report
• ASCII Export Files
• Interval per Row
• Day per Row
• Day per Column
Metercat
Viewset Report
Metercat
Program Report
Metercat

Metercat
Import Activities Report

Metercat
ASCII Export Files
Interval per Row
Interval Data (Profile)
ACCOUNT DATE TIME INT CHANNELS
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","17:00",15, 107.70, 179.40,

0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","17:15",15, 1620.00, 2700.00,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","17:30",15, 1620.00, 2700.30,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","17:45",15, 1620.60, 2700.90,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","18:00",15, 1620.60, 2700.90,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","18:15",15, 1620.00, 2700.00,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","18:30",15, 1620.30, 2700.60,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","18:45",15, 1620.30, 2700.60,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","19:00",15, 1620.30, 2700.60,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","19:15",15, 1620.00, 2700.00,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","19:30",15, 1620.30, 2700.30,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","19:45",15, 1620.00, 2700.00,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","20:00",15, 1620.00, 2700.00,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","20:15",15, 1620.00, 2700.30,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","20:30",15, 1620.00, 2699.70,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","20:45",15, 1619.70, 2699.40,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","21:00",15, 1620.00, 2700.00,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","21:15",15, 1620.00, 2700.00,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","21:30",15, 1619.40, 2699.40,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","21:45",15, 1619.70, 2699.40,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","22:00",15, 1619.40, 2699.10,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","22:15",15, 1620.00, 2699.70,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","22:30",15, 1619.40, 2699.10,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","22:45",15, 1619.40, 2699.10,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","23:00",15, 1619.70, 2699.10,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","23:15",15, 1619.70, 2699.70,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","23:30",15, 1619.70, 2699.40,
Metercat
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","23:45",15, 1619.70, 2699.70,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/05","24:00",15, 1619.70, 2699.10,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/06","00:15",15, 1619.40, 2699.40,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/06","00:30",15, 1619.70, 2699.70,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/06","00:45",15, 1619.70, 2699.40,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/06","01:00",15, 1619.40, 2699.10,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/06","01:15",15, 1620.60, 2700.90,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/06","01:30",15, 1620.30, 2700.60,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/06","01:45",15, 1620.60, 2700.60,
0.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/06","02:00",15, 1620.30, 2700.60,
0.00
Interval Data (Instrumentation)
Instrumentation Profiling Set 1
"Account:" "Date" "Time" "Int.Len" "End Line Frequency" "Average Phase

A current" "Minimum Phase B current" "Maximum Phase C current"
"Average Phase A voltage" "Minimum Phase B voltage" "Maximum Phase C
voltage" "End Phase A kW" "Average Phase B kW" "Maximum Phase C kW"
"Average Phase A kVA" "End Phase B kVA" "Maximum Phase C kVA" "End
Phase A voltage angle" "End Phase B voltage angle" "End Phase C
voltage angle"
"77777777777777777710" "05/13/04" "12:12" 2 0.000000000000000

0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
"77777777777777777710" "05/13/04" "12:14" 2 56.689600000000006
13.468000000000000 -3.923200000000000 6.626400000000000 -
208.753600000000006 -285.683199999999999 -108.873600000000010
27.257227200000003 -17.922161600000003 -9.149022400000000
28.732916800000002 5.596483200000001 24.346347200000000
190.168000000000006 -174.284000000000020 -142.098000000000013
"77777777777777777710" "05/13/04" "12:16" 2 -13.321000000000002 -
11.000000000000000 -22.543200000000002 -16.990400000000001 -
198.633600000000001 -217.940800000000024 -435.001599999999996
21.549371200000003 -9.795744000000001 26.648473600000003 -
30.364275200000002 14.999891200000000 -19.588956800000002 -
320.913999999999987 -91.927000000000007 120.483000000000004
"77777777777777777710" "05/13/04" "12:18" 2 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000 0.000000000000000
"77777777777777777710" "05/13/04" "12:20" 2 23.672000000000001
17.005600000000001 13.945600000000001 -17.945600000000002
77.035200000000003 -212.608000000000004 180.224000000000018
3.580382400000000 10.691788800000001 34.587582400000002
7.785971200000001 -20.563468800000003 10.795568000000001
90.288000000000011 304.831999999999994 -325.864000000000033
"77777777777777777710" "05/13/04" "13:18" 2 1.707200000000000
Metercat
2.470400000000000 4.352800000000000 15.064000000000000

256.995200000000011 -558.536000000000058 -286.175999999999988
24.947507200000000 32.414547200000001 0.002531200000000
4.411881600000000 -38.762796800000004 -38.783046400000004
0.011000000000000 -326.612000000000023 -244.860000000000014
Day per Row
ACCOUNT, DATE, START TIME, END TIME, INTERVAL LENGTH (min), CHANNEL #,
[channel data]
"__________9988776655","01/11/06",
"00:01","24:00",15,1,1619.40,1619.70,1619.70,1619.40,1620.60,1620.30,
1620.60,1620.30,1620.30,1620.30,1620.30,1620.00,1620.60,1620.30,1620.
30,1620.30,1620.30,1620.30,1620.30,1620.60,1620.30,1620.30,1620.90,16
20.00,1620.90,1620.90,1620.60,1620.90,1620.30,1620.30,1620.00,1620.00
,1620.30,1620.00,1619.70,1619.40,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1619.40,1620
.00,1620.30,1619.70,1619.70,1620.30,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1620.30,1
620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.00,1620.30,1620.00,1620.30,1620.3
0,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,162
0.00,1620.00,1619.70,1620.30,1620.30,1620.60,1620.00,1620.60,1620.60,
1620.30,1620.00,1620.30,1620.30,1620.00,1620.30,1620.00,1620.00,1620.
00,1620.00,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1620.30,1619.70,1619.40,1619.70,16
20.00,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70
"__________9988776655","01/11/07",
"00:01","24:00",15,1,1619.70,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1619.70,
1620.00,1619.70,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.
00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1619.70,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1620.30,16
20.00,1620.30,1620.30,1620.60,1620.30,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1619.70
,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1619.70,1620
.00,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1
620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.0
0,1619.70,1620.00,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1620.00,161
9.70,1619.70,1620.30,1620.60,1620.60,1620.90,1620.00,1620.60,1620.60,
1620.90,1620.30,1620.60,1620.30,1620.30,1620.60,1620.30,1620.30,1620.
00,1620.60,1620.30,1620.30,1620.30,1620.60,1620.00,1620.30,1619.70,16
20.60,1620.60,1620.30,1620.00
"__________9988776655","01/11/08",
"00:01","24:00",15,1,1620.00,1620.30,1619.70,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,
1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.
00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.00,1620.60,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,16
20.00,1620.30,1620.60,1620.30,1620.30,1620.30,1620.00,1620.30,1620.00
,1619.70,1619.70,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1620
.00,1619.70,1620.00,1619.70,1620.30,1619.70,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1
620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1619.70,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.0
0,1620.00,1620.00,1619.70,1620.00,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1620.00,161
9.70,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.30,1620.30,1620.00,1620.30,1620.30,
1620.30,1620.30,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.00,1620.
00,1620.30,1619.70,1619.70,1619.70,1620.00,1619.70,1619.40,1619.70,16
19.70,1620.00,1619.40,1619.70
Day per Column
[time, ACCOUNT,INTERVAL LENGTH (min)

DATE1, DATE2,DATE3,etc.]
" ","__________9988776655",15
" ","01/11/05","01/11/06","01/11/07","01/11/08","01/11/09","01/11/
10","01/11/11","01/11/12","01/11/13","01/11/14","01/11/15","01/11/
16","01/11/17","01/11/18","01/11/19","01/11/20","01/11/21","01/11/
22","01/11/23","01/11/24","01/11/25","01/11/26","01/11/27","01/11/
28","01/11/29","01/11/30","01/11/05","01/11/06","01/11/07","01/11/
08","01/11/09","01/11/10","01/11/11","01/11/12","01/11/13","01/11/
14","01/11/15","01/11/16","01/11/17","01/11/18","01/11/19","01/11/
20","01/11/21","01/11/22","01/11/23","01/11/24","01/11/25","01/11/
Metercat
26","01/11/27","01/11/28","01/11/29","01/11/30","01/11/05","01/11/
06","01/11/07","01/11/08","01/11/09","01/11/10","01/11/11","01/11/
12","01/11/13","01/11/14","01/11/15","01/11/16","01/11/17","01/11/
18","01/11/19","01/11/20","01/11/21","01/11/22","01/11/23","01/11/
24","01/11/25","01/11/26","01/11/27","01/11/28","01/11/29","01/11/
30",
[“START TIME1“,“START TIME2“,“START TIME3“, etc.]

" ", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01", "00:01",
"00:01",
[“END TIME1“,“END TIME2“,“END TIME3“, etc.]

" ", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00", "24:00",
"24:00",
[CHANNEL #,CHANNEL #,CHANNEL #, etc.]
" ", 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,
1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,
1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,
1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2,
2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2,
2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2,
2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2,
2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3,
3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3,
3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3,
3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3,
3, 3,
[“TIME”,DATA,DATA,DATA,ETC.]
"00:15", 0.00, 1619.40, 1619.70, 1620.00, 1620.30,
1620.30, 1620.00, 1620.00, 1620.00, 1619.70, 1620.00,
1619.40, 1620.00, 1619.10, 1619.70, 1619.70, 1620.00,
1620.30, 1620.00, 1620.00, 1619.70, 1619.70, 1619.70,
1619.40, 1620.00, 1620.00, 0.00, 2699.40, 2699.70,
2700.30, 2700.30, 2700.30, 2700.00, 2699.70, 2700.00,
2699.70, 2699.70, 2699.10, 2700.00, 2698.50, 2699.40,
2699.70, 2699.70, 2700.00, 2699.70, 2699.70, 2699.40,
2699.70, 2699.40, 2698.80, 2699.70, 2699.70, 0.00,
0.00, 0.00,
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 469 C. Displayable Characters
C Displayable Characters
Meter displays are limited in the characters they can display. The A3 ALPHA meter LCD
uses 7 segments for character formation whereas the A1800 ALPHA meter LCD uses 16
segments.
See “Displayable Characters” on page 470 for a table of the characters the LCD can
display.
A3 ALPHA Meter
LCD
The figure below details the areas of the A3 ALPHA meter’s liquid crystal display (LCD).
Table C-1. LCD regions

Item Description
quantity identifier identifies the displayed quantity. Using Elster meter support
software, a numeric identifier can be assigned to most quantities
(see “Selecting Display Items” on page 376). For instrumentation
quantities, the identifiers are fixed.
operating mode indicates that the meter is currently operating in either TEST or ALT
indicator mode.
display quantity shows metered quantities or other displayable information (see
“Selecting Display Items” on page 376). Depending on the meter
family, from 3 to 8 total digits with up to 9 decimal places can be
used. These digits are also used to report the following:
• operational errors
• system instrumentation and service test errors
• warnings
• communication codes
Metercat
Item Description
phase indicators phase A, phase B, and phase C, respectively- correspond to a
phase voltage present on the meter connections.
• If the indicators are on, then all phase voltages are present.
• If an indicator is blinking, then that phase voltage is either
missing or below the defined threshold for voltage sag
detection.
EOI ten seconds before the end of the demand interval, the EOI
indicator will be turned on and remain on until the end of the
interval.
alternate/real indicates the directions of active and reactive energy flow (positive
energy indicators energy flow is energy delivered to the consumer load, while
reverse energy flow is energy received from the consumer load)
power/energy units indicates the unit of measurement for the quantity currently
identifier displayed on the LCD.
display identifiers more precisely identifies the information presented on the LCD.
Displayable Characters
The character display portion of the A3 ALPHA meter’s liquid crystal display (LCD) is
illustrated in the following figure. The quantity identifier and the display quantity are
programmable (“Selecting Display Items” on page 376).
The A3 ALPHA meter’s display is capable of displaying the following ASCII characters:
Character Description LCD

‘ apostrophe
! exclamation
$ dollar
% percent
Metercat

* asterisk
( left parenthesis
) right parenthesis
_ underscore
+ plus
- hyphen
= equal
< less than
> greater than
, comma
/ forward slash
? question
Metercat

[ left bracket
] right bracket
^ circum
1 one
2 two
3 three
4 four
5 five
6 six
7 seven
8 eight
9 nine
Metercat

0 zero
Character LCD
A
J
Metercat
Character LCD
K
V
Metercat
Character LCD
W
A1800 ALPHA Meter
LCD
Displayable items are described in “Displayable Characters” on page 477. The A1800
ALPHA meter supports up to 64 quantities for display on the LCD. The LCD can be divided
into different regions, as described in Table . See the A1800 ALPHA Meter Series Technical
Manual for more detailed information on the LCD regions.
Metercat
Item Description
quantity identifier identifies the displayed quantity. An alphanumeric identifier can be
assigned to most quantities (see “Selecting Display Items” on page
376). For instrumentation quantities, the identifiers are fixed.
alternate display indicates that the meter is currently displaying items in the alternate
indicator display list
active COM port indicates that a communication session is in progress and the
indicators communication port that is being used: either COM 0, COM 1 or
COM 2
power/energy units indicates the unit of measurement for the quantity currently
identifier displayed on the LCD.
Display indicators indicates whether the meter is currently doing the following:
• accumulating in tariff (T1 - T4)
• has reached the end of an interval (EOI)
• compensating for transformer line loss (LC)
• indicating that either the terminal cover (TC) or the meter cover
has been removed
• is operating in test mode (TST)
display quantity shows metered quantities or other displayable information (see
“Selecting Display Items” on page 376). From 3 to 8 total characters
with up to 9 decimal places can be used. These digits are also used
to report the following:
• operational errors
• system instrumentation and service test errors
• warnings
• communication codes
display identifiers more precisely identifies the information presented on the LCD.
energy direction indicates the directions of active (P) and reactive (Q) energy flow
indicators (positive energy flow is energy delivered to the consumer load,
while reverse energy flow is energy received from the consumer
load)
error indicator indicates either of the following:
• flashes when any error flag is set
• remains on if a displayable warning flag is set and no error
exists
low battery if the indicator is turned on, the battery warning flag has been set.
indicator
phase indicators L1, L2, and L3 (phase A, phase B, and phase C, respectively)
correspond to a phase voltage present on the A1800 ALPHA meter
connections.
• If the indicators are on, then all phase voltages are present.
• If an indicator is blinking, then that phase voltage is either
missing or below the defined threshold for voltage sag detection.
Metercat
Displayable Characters
Character Description LCD Appearance

~ tilde
! exclamation
@ at
# number sign
$ dollar
% percent
& ampersand
* asterisk
Metercat

( left parenthesis
) right parenthesis
_ underscore
+ plus
- hyphen
= equal
< less than
> greater than
, comma
. period
/ forward slash
\ backward slash
Metercat

; semicolon
: colon
‘ apostrophe
“ double quote
[ left bracket
] right bracket
{ left brace
} right brace
| bar (pipe)
° degree
1 one
2 two
Metercat

3 three
4 four
5 five
6 six
7 seven
8 eight
9 nine
0 zero
Character LCD Appearance Character LCD Appearance

A a
B b
C c
Metercat

D d
E e
F f
G g
H h
I i
J j
K k
L l
M m
N n
O o
Metercat

P p
Q q
R r
S s
T t
U u
V v
W w
X x
Y y
Z z
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 483 D. Relay Wiring Diagrams
D Relay Wiring Diagrams
Relays are only applicable to meters containing one or two option boards that include
relay outputs. Up to six relays (A-F) can be configured for an A3 ALPHA meter.
3 Wire Form C 2 Wire Form A

• Relay A • Relay E
• Relay B • Relay F
• Relay C
• Relay D
Wiring Diagrams
Relay A
NC Yellow
Y
NO Black Z R elay A
COMMON Red K
Relay B
NC Wht/Blk Y
NO Blue Z
Relay B
COMMON Orange (2 relays)
K
NC Wht/Blk Y
NO Blue Relay B
Z
COMMON Red (>2 relays)
K
Relay C
Metercat
User Guide 484 D. Relay Wiring Diagrams
NC Violet Y
NO White Z Relay C
COMMON Red K
Relay D
NC Gray Y
NO Wht/Brn Z Relay D
COMMON Red K
Relay E
NO Orange EOI Relay E

COMMON Red K
Relay F
NO Brown LC1
COMMON Green
Relay F
LC2
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 485 E. Meter Events, Errors & Warnings
E Meter Events, Errors & Warnings
The following tables detail A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter error and warning
conditions that are reported on the Status view (see “Status view” on page 267) by
Metercat:
• Conditions tab
• Events
• Warnings
• Errors
• EnergyAxis Option tab (A3 ALPHA meters only)
• A3 ALPHA Meter with ILC1 or ILN1 Errors
• A3 ALPHA Meter with ILC1 or ILN1 Status
Installation CD in the \Documentation\REX folder) for information on REX meter errors and
statuses.
Series Technical Manual (TM42-2410) for details on the events, errors, and warnings
reported by the meter.
Events
The following table details those events that Metercat reports in the Conditions tab of the
Status view from an A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter.
Event Meter LCD Description

Calendar Demand reset None Calendar initiated demand reset occurred.
Season Change Occurred None Season change occurred.
Self Read Occurred None Self read occurred.
Pending Table Activated None Pending Table activated.
Time Change None Time change occurred.
Button Press Demand reset None Button press demand reset occurred.
Button Press Clear Data None Button press clear data occurred.
Event Log Wrap None The event log has overflowed.
Pulse Profiling Wrap None Indicates that pulse profiling data has overflowed (memory has wrapped).
Profile 1 Wrap None Indicates that Set 1 Instrumentation profiling data has overflowed (memory
has wrapped).
Profile 2 Wrap None Indicates that Set 2 Instrumentation profiling data has overflowed (memory
has wrapped).
Demand Threshold Exceeded F2-000200 Indicates that the demand has exceeded the programmed demand
threshold.
Metercat
Event Meter LCD Description

History Log Wrap None Indicates the history log overflowed (memory has wrapped) or would have
overflowed if overflow was not inhibited.
Sag Log Wrap None Indicates the sag log has overflowed (memory has wrapped).
Rate Override None Indicates the TOU tier is currently being overridden (real-time pricing
application).
PQM Log Wrap None Indicates the PQM log has overflowed (memory has wrapped).
Button Press Test Mode Activation None Indicates the meter has been put into test mode since the last clear event
Occurred flags or clear data task was executed. The event can be cleared by
executing either the Clear Event Flags task or Clear Data task.
statuses.
Warnings
The following table details those warnings that Metercat reports in the Conditions tab of
the Status view from an A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter.
Warning Meter LCD Description Action to take

Low Battery F1-000001 Indicates the battery test is enabled and the Replace the battery. This warning message
measured battery voltage is less than the is not relevant to demand only units.
configured threshold.
Improper Meter Engine F1-000010 Indicates that the meter engine program If the meter engine is successfully
Operation may be corrupt or is not executing correctly. reinitialized, then the warning code will be
This warning condition is typically triggered automatically cleared from the LCD. If the
when the microcontroller reinitializes the code continues to be displayed on the LCD,
meter engine. the meter should be returned to the factory
for repair or replacement.
Reverse Energy Flow F1-000100 Indicates the meter measured twice the Kh If the service being metered normally
value in reverse energy flow (Whrev) in a returns energy to the utility, disable this
single demand interval. warning using Metercat. If the service
being metered normally does not return
energy to the utility, investigate the cause
for the reverse direction pulses and take
action as required. To clear the warning,
correct the condition and wait one demand
interval or manually reset the demand.
Potential Indicator F1-010000 Phase voltage error. Indicates that a Check the voltages of the different phases
recognized phase voltage is below its low to determine which one(s) is missing. Then
voltage threshold. correct the problem causing the missing
Note: Metercat indicates that phase voltage.
that is missing - Phase A, Phase
B, and Phase C.
Demand Overload F1-100000 Indicates that demand overload is Action is determined by the utility.
exceeded.
Service Current Test Failure F2-000002 Indicates the last occurrence of service
current test failed.
Metercat
Warning Meter LCD Description Action to take

Line Frequency F2-002000 Indicates that the line frequency is Action is determined by the utility.
configured to be used as the time base, and The meter will use the crystal oscillator for
it was found to be more than 5 % off the timekeeping until the line frequency returns
nominal frequency. to within 5 % of nominal.
PQM Test Failure F2-020000 Indicates that one or more PQM tests have Use the meter system instrumentation
detected a value outside the programmed displays or read the meter using Metercat
thresholds. to gain additional information on the
specific PQM test causing the problem.
The code will be automatically cleared
once PQM conditions return to a value
within the programmed thresholds.
End Of Calendar F2-200000 Appears on a configurable number of days Program the meter with a new Special
prior to the last nonrecurring date in the Dates component. See “Special Dates
meter calendar. component” on page 433 and “Program
task” on page 122).
Bad Display Item None Indicates that an item in a display list is Contact Elster if this error occurs.
invalid.
Low Outage Battery None If the outage modem is configured to make Replace the battery. To clear the warning,
outage calls, indicates that the outage reset the demand or communicate to the
modem has reported a low battery. meter using Metercat.
Modem not None Indicates the outage modem is expected but Contact Elster if this error occurs.
communicating with meter the meter can no longer communicate with
it.
Outage modem None Indicates that the outage modem has Contact Elster if this error occurs.
configuration reported a checksum error.
Outage modem internal None Indicates that the outage modem has Contact Elster if this error occurs.
test failure reported a self test error.
Possible Tamper None Indicates possible tampering with the meter Action is determined by the utility. If you
because of the number of attempts to decide that the password retry value is set
communicate with the meter using an invalid too low (or too high), reset the value using
password Metercat (“Password retry options” on page
174)
Possible Tariff Data None Indicates possible corruption of the tariff Action is determined by the utility.
Corruption data. This may occur if a communication
session is abnormally terminated while
writing data to the billing registers (for
example, register edit).
Service Voltage Test Failure None Indicates the last occurrence of service Contact Elster if this error occurs.
voltage test failed.
Write Protect Override None For meters that are write protected, this Contact Elster if this error occurs.
indicates that the meter tables are
temporarily unlocked.
XMB Not Communicating None Indicates the extended memory option Contact Elster if this error occurs.
with Meter board is expected but the meter can no
longer communicate with it.
Metercat
Errors
The following table details those errors that Metercat reports in the Conditions tab of the
Status view from an A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA meter
Error Meter LCD Description Action to take

Carryover Er1-000001 Indicates a failure of a RAM checksum test Record all displayed quantities, then power
on data stored in the meter’s volatile RAM down the unit, replace the battery, reapply
during a power failure. power to the unit, and reset time and error
statuses using Metercat. If the error still appears,
return the unit to the factory for repair.
Crystal Oscillator Er1-000010 Indicates that a problem has occurred Return the meter to the factory for repair or
with the crystal oscillator. Timekeeping replacement.
may be inaccurate.
Table CRC Er1-000100 Indicates a possible error in the meter’s Reprogramming the meter with Metercat may
programming. This code might appear if a correct the problem. If the error code is
communications interruption occurs displayed after reprogramming, return the meter
during meter programming. Depending to the factory for repair or replacement.
on which area of the meter is affected,
billing data may not be reliably
accumulated while this error condition
exists.
Internal Er1-001000 Indicates the meter had an internal Return the meter to the factory for repair or
Communication (I2C) communication error. replacement.
EEPROM Access Er1-010000 Indicates the meter had a problem Return the meter to the factory for repair or
accessing its nonvolatile EEPROM. replacement.
Writing Tariff Data to Er1-010000 Indicates that there was an error while Contact Elster if this error occurs.
EEPROM writing tariff data to EEPROM and the data
may be invalid. This error will coincide with
an EEPROM Access error (Er1-010000).
Reading Tariff Data Er1-010000 Indicates that an error occurred while Contact Elster if this error occurs.
from EEPROM reading tariff data from EEPROM and the
data may be invalid. This error will
coincide with an EEPROM Access error
(Er1-010000).
General Configuration Er1-100000 Indicates a problem with the meter’s Reprogram using Metercat to correct the errors.
configuration or program.
Security Configuration Er2-000002 Indicates an error is present in the meter’s Contact Elster if this error is displayed on the LCD.
security configuration.
ROM Failure Er2-020000 Indicate that an attempt was made to re- Re-FLASH the meter firmware.
FLASH the firmware but the attempt was
incomplete.
Security CRC Er2-000020 Indicates a Password CRC (cyclic Contact Elster if this error occurs.
redundancy check) error
Security CRC Er2-000200 Indicates a CRC (cyclic redundancy check) Contact Elster if this error occurs.
error involving the C12.21 Authenticate
Service.
Security Configuration Er2-000002 Indicates a security configuration error. Contact Elster if this error occurs.
Power fail data save Er2-200000 Indicates that an EEPROM error was Return the meter to the factory for repair or
detected. replacement.
Metercat
Error Meter LCD Description Action to take

Clock Er3-030000 Set if the time can not be maintained over The meter battery may need to be replaced, and
a power fail and timekeeping is enabled. the error will need to be reset using Metercat. If
This error will almost always occur the error code is still present, the meter must be
simultaneously with a Carryover error (Er1- returned to the factory for repair or replacement.
000001).
Display Locked by a Er3-300000 Indicates that the display is locked by a Use Metercat or the alternate display mode to
Warning Condition warning condition. display the warning code. Use the code to
determine the cause for the warning condition
and the corrective action required.
Internal Meter Warning F3-3000000 Indicates that the meter has encountered Contact Elster if this error is displayed on the LCD.
an internal error.
statuses.
A3 ALPHA Meter with ILC1 or ILN1 Errors

To have the meter’s LCD display the ILC1 or ILN1 error codes, you must add the REX LAN item
ILC Error to the meter’s programmed display list (see “Displaying ILC/ILN Errors and Status”
on page 372).
The following table details the errors that can occur in the internal LAN controller (ILC1) and
internal LAN node option boards and Metercat reports in the in the EnergyAxis Option tab
of the Status view.
ILC1 Error Meter LCD1 Description Action to take

Clock Error iii-000001 Indicates that either the meter has lost it's Replace the meter battery and perform an ILC1
time or the ILC1 cannot communicate with clear status command using Elster meter
the meter. In this state, all the nodes on the support software. If the error code is displayed
network will be put in relative time mode after the battery has been replaced, return the
and they will record all energy in the default A3 ALPHA meter with ILC1 option board to Elster
tier. for repair or replacement.
Carryover Error iii-000010 Indicates that the ILC1 has lost it's battery- Replace the battery using procedures detailed
backed RAM after a power failure (usually in IL42-4001. Clear the ILC1 option board error
occurs because the meter's battery died). using Metercat.
Table CRC Error iii-000100 Indicates that one or more of the Reprogramming the meter with Metercat may
configuration tables in the ILC1 has a CRC correct the condition. If the error code is
that does not match what is recorded displayed after reprogramming, return the
(usually means that table has not been A3 ALPHA meter with ILC1 option board to Elster
written yet). for repair or replacement.
Configuration Error iii-001000 Indicates that one or more of the Reprogram using Metercat to correct the error.
configuration tables in the ILC1 has been set Contact Elster if this error code continues to be
up incorrectly. displayed on the LCD.
Shared Memory Error iii-010000 Indicates that either the amount of data set Reprogram the meter using Metercat. Contact
up for shared memory exceeds the amount Elster if this error code continues to be
of physical memory or the shared memory displayed on the LCD.
configuration has changed and a Clear
Data task has not been executed.
Power Fail Data Save iii-100000 Indicates that the meter did not finish it's Reprogram the meter and clear the data from
Error power down handling on a power failure the ILC1 option board. Contact Elster if this error
(could indicate a hardware problem with code continues to be displayed on the LCD.
the ILC1).
1. where iii is the 3 digit Display ID entered in the Display component.

Metercat
A3 ALPHA Meter with ILC1 or ILN1 Status

To have the meter’s LCD display the ILC1 or ILN1 status codes, you must add the REX LAN
item ILC Status to the meter’s programmed display list (see “Displaying ILC/ILN Errors and
Status” on page 372).
The following table details the statuses that can occur in the internal LAN controller (ILC1)
and the internal LAN node option boards and Metercat reports in the in the EnergyAxis
Option tab of the Status view.
ILC1 Meter LCD1 Description Meaning

LAN Node Type iii-000000 Indicates the meter is functioning as a Node
node.
iii-000001 Indicates the meter is functioning as a RF Collector
collector (for REX meter data).
1. where iii is the 3 digit Display ID entered in the Display component.
statuses.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 491 F. Configuring Loss Compensation
F Configuring Loss Compensation
Transformer Loss Compensation

To configure transformer and line loss compensation in the A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA
meters, use the Transformer Loss Compensation Tool (A3A1800LossComp.exe) and refer
to IL42-5001, Loss Compensation Tool for A3 ALPHA and A1800 ALPHA Meters located on
the Metercat installation CD in the \LossComp folder.
User Guide Metercat
Metercat
User Guide 492 Index
Index
Symbols valid entry 123 meter passwords 173

*.CFG file format 189, 191 Account Information 34 ANSI C12.19
*.HTML file format 86, 207, 208, 304 changing password 39 Channel Status 235, 239
*.MSR file format 182, 196 viewing 34 ANSI C12.19 Rev.
*.PCD file format 310 adding Status view 271
*.PED file format 308 connection 161 ANSI C12.21
*.XML file format 308, 310 group 59 meter passwords 173
new service 431 answer windows
password set 178 Remote component 421
Numerics phone book entry 286 Aplus.dll
50ESS ERT option board 415 task to function 82 AlphaPlus, Windows port access 168
user 55 ASCII
A Adjusted Kd export to file 186, 189
A1800 ALPHA meter Constants view 212 assigning
about passwords 173 Adjusted Kd, calculation 359 function shortcuts 29
display items 372 Adjusted Ke audit information, viewing 328
display, control tab 219, 367 Constants view 212 auto-exit
events 386 Adjusted Ke, calculation 358 Test Mode On task 152
LCD 475 Adjusted Kh 50, 295, 359 Available Shared Memory
Logs view 242 Constants view 212 Status view (LAN Collector) 278, 281
recommended port assignments 414 System Preferences 50 Average Power Factor
sample component, collector 415 viewing programmed 294 calculation source 404
A3 ALPHA meter Adjusted Kh, calculation 359
Advanced Communications Board 442
about passwords 173 B
display items 372 Advanced Metering
background image
LCD 470 Quantities component 404
customizing 15
sample component, collector 415 alarm calling
Battery Log
sample component, ICM 415 Remote component 423
Clear Battery Log task 108
ABC only, rotation test 120 Alarm Indication
Status view 274
ACB Relay Options component 411
Billing Call Schedule
advanced communications board 442 Alarm Trigger
Remote component 422
ACB option board 414 Remote component 425
billing calling
accelerator keys 20 Alarm Trigger Period
access Remote component 418, 425
billing read
denied to program 298 allocating memory
performing 300
granting a group 67, 79 Properties component 355
unable to perform 181
removing a group 80 Alpha Keys 68
Billing Read task 88
Access Control tab about 24
Bit Rate
Function Builder 78 Status view 269
Function Definition 79 ALPHA meter
Bit Rate range
Properties component 354 about passwords 172
Viewset Builder 201 AlphaPlus
block interval demand
access level configuring Machine Settings 168
Demand component 364
Group Privileges 67 port conflict 168
Brute Force Node Read
accessing starting 24
event 279
Function Management 75 Alternate display
building
Machine Settings 160 Display component 369
function 77
User Management 54 Alternate Display, show one cycle
viewset 202
Viewset Management 199 System Preferences 50
button
Account AMRON M5 CIB option board 415
Repeat 85
changing 293, 298 Annual
Status view 270 self read numbering 220
ANSI C12.18
Metercat
C KYZ Value 125 clock source

Calendar Action language 25 preferences 50
Special Dates component 438, 440 logon password 39 closing
Call Origination Date & Time 293 Meter ID using Program task 293 Component Editor 352
Call Schedule meter program using Program task Metercat 33
Remote component 423 123 Program Editor 344
Call Window Metercat log on password 39 Coincident
Remote view 254 MSU device IDs 299 Advanced Metering option 404
call windows 419, 422 overload 125 Quantities component 404, 405
alarms 424 Overload, using Program task 125, Quantities view 252
billing 422 293 Cold Load Pickup
modem 419 password set 179 Relay Options component 409
restoration 426 phone book entry 288 Collector/Node Data 90, 117
cancelling PQM component 293 COM ports
function execution 84, 292, 301 PQM component using Program task machine settings 159
CBA only 126 command line
rotation test 120 Program ID 322 exporting load profile 192
CFG file format 189, 191, 196 program ID number 293 component
Change Demand Overload task 91 register multiplier 125 changing 348
Change Demand Threshold task 92 Remote component using Program Constants 358
Change ICM Custom SIDs task 95 task 293 copying 346
Change ICM Settings task 97 Service Test component using Program creating 345
Change KYZ Output task 98 task 126, 293 deleting 351
Change Meter Passwords task 100 Site IDs using Program task 123, 124, Demand 362
Change Modem Init String task 104 293 Display 365
Change Out LAN Collector task 105 task execution order 82 Interval Data Configuration 381
Change Read Only Password 101, 103 time (in meter) 106 Logs 383
Change Time task 106 time zone 124, 293 opening 348
changing user information 56 PQM 386
A3 ALPHA meter/collector 105 viewset 204 Properties 353
Account 298 VT, using Program task 125 Quantities 402
account number 293 Channel Status 235, 239 Relay Options 405
call origination date using Program display priorities 235, 239 Remote 413
task 293 Charge Up Delay renaming 323
Change Demand Overload task 91 Remote component 420 saving 350
Change ICM Custom SIDs 95 Remote view 255 Service Test 428
Change ICM Settings task 97 Clear All Nodes Status Special Dates 433
Change KYZ Output task 98 event 279 Special Features 441
Change Meter Passwords 100 Clear Battery Log task 108 Special Option Board 442
Change Modem Init String task 104 Clear Data task 109 Switch Times 443
Change Time 106 Clear Event Flags task 110 types 353
connection definition 166 Clear Event Log task 110 Component Editor
constants using Program task 124 Clear ICM Over-temperature Counters task about 345
constants, programming a meter 293 111 exiting 352
CT, using Program task 125 Clear PQM Data task 112 starting 345
demand thresholds 92 Clear PQM Log and Status component report
device IDs using Program task 293 Replace PQM task 131 creating 350
ERT configuration using Program task clearing component settings
291 battery log 108 viewing 348
existing component 348 data 109 component, def. 328
existing user 56 event flags 110 configuration errors
function 81 event log 110 Status view 276
function access 82 ICM over-temp counters 111 Configure ALL Instrumentation Quantities
function definition 82 logs 109 as Primary 220
function privileges 82 ClkB (clock set back) Configure Special Option Board task 113
group 60 Interval Status 235, 239 configuring
group information 60 ClkF (clock set forward) for AlphaPlus 168
Instrumentation Profiling component Interval Status 235, 239 remote component, collector/node 414
using Program task 293 Clock Source remote component, ITM3 and ILC1 414
KYZ Divisor 125 setting Programming Options 49 remote component, ITM3 and RS-485/
KYZ pulse output using Program task Status view 276 RS-232 414
293 System Preferences 50 remote component, line sharing 414
Metercat
remote component, outage 414 Current Days Since Last Reset

remote component, outage and relays Instrumentation view 230 Status view 274
414 Service Test view 260 DCSI option board 415
remote component, RS-485 414 Current Billing view 212 Decimal Location
special option board 113 Current Imbalance Test Display component 366
system 40 PQM component 388, 400 Default Elster PQM Test Set
connection Current Phase Angle PQM component 386
direct 160 Instrumentation view 230 Default Rate
modem 159 Current Test after Powerup Voltage Test firmware versions 443
probe 159 Service Test component 430 power failure 443
TCP/IP 160 Service Test view 260 Switch Times component 444
Connection Editor 161 Current Test Threshold Default Thresholds
connection settings 159 Service Test component 431, 432 Service Test component 432
connection source Custom Display String default time zone 107
changing 166 Status view 271 defining
viewing 165 Custom Display Strings 1 and 2 function shortcuts 29
Connection Type Properties component 354 Delete Meter Programs
add new phone entry 286 customizing group privileges 68
Constants background image 15 Delete Stored Readings
changing using Program task 293 customizing phone book grid 285 group privileges 68
Constants view 211 deleting
Contents Help 15 component 351
D
Contents of Event Logs function 83
Data Edit flag
Logs view 242 function shortcut 30
clearing 128
Control group 61
setting 128
Display component 366 password set 180
data files, locating 31
copying phone book entry 290
data retention
component 346 program 342
program 337 user 57
379, 382
counter viewset 206
data, clearing 109
number of switch times 445 Demand Forgiveness Outage Time
database, copying 32
Cover Removal Detection event 242 Demand component 365
Date Format
CRC Errors Demand view 216
Display component 366
Status view 277 Demand Forgiveness Time
Display view 220
Create PROFILE HHF Demand component 363, 365
Date of Last Programming
Billing Read task 91 Demand view 216
Status view 274
creating demand only meter
Date of Last Reset
component 345 self read (Special Features view) 441
Status view 274
component copy 346 Demand Overload
Date/Time of Reading
component report 350 and Program task 125
Status view 275
parameter file 195 Demand component 363
Date/Time of the Last Demand Reset
password set 178 Demand Reset
Previous Billing view 249
program 333 on Self Reads (Special Features view)
Date/Time of the Last Season Change
program copy 337 266
Previous Season view 251
program report 342 Special Dates component 438
Dates and Rates options
viewset report 206 Special Features component 441
System Preferences 48
CT demand reset
Day of the Week
changing using Program task 124 lockout 441
Status view 275
CT × VT on Season Change 434
Day Type
Constants view 212 scheduling 440
Day Types component 361
CT Ratio 360 Demand Reset Lockout Time
Switch Times component 444
Constants component 360 Special Features component 441
Constants view 212 Special Features view 266
Day Types Pending view 214
Cumulative Count Demand Reset task 114
Day Types view 213
PQM/Sag Status view 247 Demand Reset, event
daylight saving time
Cumulative Demand Type 363, 365 Logs component 386
Special Dates component 438
Demand component 363, 365 Demand Threshold
Days of Storage
Demand view 216 and Demand component 363
Cumulative Failure Time and Program task 125
379, 382
PQM/Sag Status view 247 Relay Options component 407
Interval Data Configuration view 240
Cur (current interval) Demand view 215
Days Since Last Pulse
Interval Status 235, 239 Details tab
Status view 274
Metercat
Account Information 35 E Event List

Device ID Edit PQM Thresholds task 118 Status view (LAN Collector) 279
communicating using modem 170 data cleared 118 event log
entering at function execution 84 turning on PQM 118 clearing 110
Program task 126 Edit Service Test task 119 Logs component 383
Replace Remote task 140 Edit System Preferences Event Log Contents
Status view 270 group privileges 68 Logs component 386
device IDs editing Event Log Data view 225
changing 293, 299 a meter register 128 Event Log Entries
RS-232 299 task parameters 82 Log view 242
setting 299 EEPROM Memory Event Log selection
Diagnostic Read task 115 Status view 269 Billing Read task 90, 117
Dialing Delay Effective Date Event Log types
Remote component 427 Day Types Pending view 215 Logs component 386
Remote view 255 Special Dates Pending view 264 event messages
Dialing mode Switch Times view 283 meter 485
Remote component 418 Enable Large Timeouts Events
Remote view 255 Remote component 417, 420 Status view 272
direct metering Enabled Groups events
Constants component 360 Function Builder 79 A1800 ALPHA meter 242
Disable Remote Communication 293 Properties component 355 events, Alarm Trigger
Disallowed Groups encryption key Remote component 425
Function Builder 79 meter passwords 173 executing
Properties component 355 End of calendar warning function 83
display Special Dates component 434 execution order
hold time 366 End of Interval task 303
item categories 372 Relay Options component 408 exiting
showing leading zeros 366 error Er3 300000 Component Editor 352
Display Digits Display view 221 Metercat 33
Display component 366 error Er3 3000000 Program Editor 344
Display ID Display component 369 Exponential Response
Display component (Normal) 377 error messages Demand component 362, 364
display items ILC1 489 export
A3 ALPHA meter 372 meter 488 meter readings 185, 192
Display Labels Errors Export Files
Display component 366 Status view 272 group privileges 68
Display Labels on Display Lists Status view (LAN Controller) 278, 281 exporting
Display view 219 errors component 306
Display List function completion report 86, 304 group privileges for 68
Display component 376 errors, Alarm Trigger interval data as ASCII 186, 189
Display Previous Billing Data Remote component 425 load profile data as ASCII 184
Display component 366 ERT load profile, command line 192
Display view 220 Itron 50ESS ERT option board 442 program 306
Display Previous Season Data programming a meter 291 stored readings 184
Display component 366 Escape Sequence Delay to ASCII file 186, 189
Display view 220 Remote component 420 to MV-90 file 184
Display Units Remote view 255 to text file 184
Display component 366 establishing connection Extended Memory
Display view 217 direct 170 Status view 269
displaying modem 170
Account 370 probe 169 F
ILC1 errors and status 372 TCP/IP 171 F1 (online help) 15
Meter ID 370 event Factory Codes
REX LAN ID 370 Brute Force Node Read 279 Status view 276
DOS port access Clear All Nodes Status 279 Factory Defaults
AlphaPlus 168 Meter Read 279 Status view 276
DSP Version Node Scan 279 Factory Ke 358
Status view 269 Partial Node Scan 279 Firmware S-Spec
Dst (Daylight saving time) Profile Read 279 Status view 269
Interval Status 235, 239 Time Broadcast 279 Status view (LAN Collector) 278, 280
DST Status Event Flags Firmware Version
Status view 275 Status view 272 Status view 269
Metercat
Status view (LAN Collector) 277, 280 using 31 Read ICM Custom SIDs task 127
firmware version Function Shortcuts, report 30 Remote component 418
Default Rate 443 Functions Test ICM task 148
format group privileges 67 View ICM Status task 154
demand values 366 ILC1
energy values 366 error messages 489
G
Format Options Remote component 414
General tab
Display view 219 status messages 490
Account Information 34
four quadrant metering ILN1
group
Interval Data Configuration component Remote component 414
access level 67
383 importing
adding 59
function component 318
changing 60
Billing Read with Reset 76 duplicate component 322
deleting 61
building 77 duplicate program 322
managing 54
Change Demand Overload 76 group privileges for 68
group name
Change Demand Threshold 76 MSR file 196
logging on 28
Change ICM Custom SIDs 76 program 312
Group Privileges
Change ICM Settings 76 program, restrictions to 311
setting 67
Change KYZ Output 76 stored readings 196
Group Status
Change Modem Init String 76 In Progress
setting using User Management 61
Change Remote Definition 76 PQM/Sag Status view 248
Change Time 76 Inactivity Timeout
changing 81 H Remote component 419
Clear Battery Log 76 Hardware Version init string, modem 104
Clear Event Flags 77 Status view 269 Initial Dialing Delay
Clear Event Log 77 Status view (LAN Collector) 277, 280 Remote component 419
Clear Values & Statuses 77 Help Instrumentation Profiling Config compo-
Configure Special Option Board 77 Contents 15 nent 378
deleting 83 F1 15 changing using Program task 293
Diagnostic Read 77 Help button 15 overriding 297
Edit Service Test 77 High Leg on Phase A Instrumentation view 229
executing 83 Service Test component 429 intelligent communication protocol option
Program 77 High Leg on Phase B board 414
Read ICM Custom SIDs 77 Service Test component 429 internal cellular modem. See ICM.
Register Edit 77 High Leg phases internal oscillator
repeating 85 Service Test component 431 setting Clock Source 50
Reset Demand 77 High Voltage Test Interval
samples of 76 PQM component 388, 392 Demand component 362, 364
shortcut key 29 History Log Demand view 216
Test ICM 77 setting using Billing Read task 90, 117 interval configuration
Turn OFF Test Mode 77 history log Interval Data Configuration view 239
Turn ON Test Mode 77 Logs component 383 interval data
Unlock Service 77 History Log Data view 226 Interval Data (Pulses) view 232, 236
View ICM Status 77 History Log Entries Interval Data Configuration view 239
viewing 80 Logs view 242 Interval Data (Instrumentation) 90, 116
function completion report 86 history, Password Set 180 Interval Data (Pulse)
Read task 303 Hold Time creating a report 233, 237
time differences 51 Display component 366 Interval Data (Pulses) selection
Function Definition tab 78 Display view 219 Billing Read task 89, 116
function execution Holiday Interval Data (Pulses) view 235
cancelling 84, 292, 301 Special Dates component 438 creating a report 233, 237
troubleshooting 157 Status view 275 Interval Data Configuration view 239
troubleshooting password levels 157 Holiday Options Interval length
function key 78, 83 System Preferences 47 Interval Data Configuration component
function privileges HTML file.See MSR file format. 379, 382
Access Control tab 79 Interval Data Configuration view 240
function shortcuts Interval Status 234, 238
allowed key sequences 29
I Interval Data (Pulses) view 234, 238
assigning 29 ICM 127 Intrusion Detection
deleting 30 Change ICM Custom SIDs task 95 Remote component 419
invalid key sequences 29 Change ICM Settings task 97 Remote view 255
report 30 Clear ICM Over-temperature Counters Invalid Password
task 111
Metercat
Status view 273 Tools 24 group privileges 68

troubleshooting 181 Launch AlphaPlus 24 managing
ITM3 Leading Zeros functions 75
Remote component 414 Display component 366 groups 54
Display view 219 meter passwords 172
Line Frequency users 54
K Instrumentation view 230 viewsets 199
Kd
setting clock source 50 Manual
Constants component 358, 359
Status view 272 Service Test component 430
Ke
line loss compensation 491 Manual, service lock
Constants component 358
Line Sharing service test mode 120
Status view 276
Remote component 419 Manufacturer
Keyboard Shortcut 29, 78, 83
Load Control Status view 268
Kh
Quantities component 404 manufacturing
Constants component 359
Quantities view 252 export program 306
Status view 276
Load Control Threshold Mask
System Preferences 50
Quantities component 404 Program task 124
kVA
load profile maximum # days between resets
Instrumentation view 230
exporting as ASCII 184 Special Dates component 434
kVAR
location Maximum Dialing Delay
data files 31 Remote component 427
kW
Lock all warnings Maximum Duration
Display component 369 PQM component 389
KYZ
Locking warnings Maximum Retry Delay
relay pulse outputs 405
Display view 221 Remote component 419
KYZ Divisor 50, 98, 99, 125, 252, 405
Log Maximum Wait to Answer
Change KYZ Output task 98
Event Log Contents 386 Remote component 427
changing using Program task 125, 293
event, Logs component 385 Maximum Wait to Answer Outage Call
Relay Options component 406
history, Logs component 385 Remote component 427
Relay Options view 252
PQM 387 Memory
setting programming options 49
PQM, Logs component 385 EEPROM, Status view 269
KYZ Output
sag, Logs component 385 Extended, Status view 269
Self Reads 385 Memory Allocation
KYZ Output settings during Test mode
log on name 27, 28 Properties component 355
log on password memory allocation
KYZ pulses
different user 28 examples 357
about 405
multiple user system 27 rules 356
KYZ Relay Activation Type
program startup 28 menu bar, using 17
logging off Metercat 28 meter
KYZ Value 50, 98, 99, 125, 252, 405
logging on 27 error messages 488
Change KYZ Output task 98
as a different user 28 event messages 485
changing using Program task 125
Metercat 27 password sets 172
logs programming 122, 291
Clear Battery Log task 109 reading 300
setting programming options 49
Clear Data task 109 warning messages 486
Clear Event Log task 110 Meter Clock Source
L Logs view 240 setting 50
LAN ID 105 Long interval Meter Configuration
Status view (LAN Collector) 277, 280 Interval Data (Pulses) view 235, 239 Service Test component 431
LAN Node Type loss compensation 491 Service Test view 260
Status view (LAN Collector) 278, 281 Low Current Test Meter Date/Time
Large Timeouts PQM component 388, 394 Status view 275
Remote component 420 Low Voltage Test meter family 327, 334
Remote view 255 PQM component 388, 391 Meter ID
Last Outage End changing using Program task 293
Status view 274 changing, requirements for 298
M Last 9 Characters 371
Last Outage Start
Machine Settings
Status view 274 valid entry 124
configuring connections 160
Last Reset Trigger Meter ID No.
Main Cover Opening Detection 386
Status view 274 Status view 270
Main Cover Opening Detection, event 242
Launch Alpha Keys meter password
main window 14
group privileges 68 retry options 174
Manage Meter Passwords
Metercat
setting Access Level 37 Remote component 419 Option Board

meter password level Remote view 255 Status view 269
troubleshooting 157 Modem Init String option board
Meter Password Management 175 Change Modem Init String task 104 ACB 414
meter passwords Remote component 418 options
setting Access Level, group 72 Remote view 254 selecting for new program 335
Meter Programmer’s Identifier 35, 63 Modem Initialized Original Style No.
Meter Programs Status view 272 Status view 269
group privileges 67 modem sharing unit 84, 140, 170 Outage Call Bit Rate
Meter Read device ID 84, 299 Remote component 427
event 279 Remote component 417 outage calling, Outage Modem 426
meter resolution 389 modifying Outage Time to Trigger Call
Meter Time after Time Change Requested program 339 Remote component 427
Status view 275 MSR file 115 Overflow, channel
Meter Time when Time Change Requested MSR file format 184 Interval Data (Pulses) view 235, 239
Status view 275 MSU. See modem sharing unit. Overload
meter type 327, 334 multiple meter installation 287 changing using Change Demand
Metercat Multiple User Overload task 91
calendar 22 User Environment 40 changing using Program task 125, 293
closing 33 multiple user Demand component 362, 364
data files 31 starting Metercat 26 Overload Threshold
description 13 System Configuration 40 Quantities component 404
exiting 33 MV-90 Quantities view 252
logging off 28 exporting stored readings 184 override
logging on 27 phone book settings 287
main window 14 overriding
menu 17
N Instrumentation Profiling Config com-
network storage
starting 26 ponent 297
programs 41
status bar 21 PQM component 297
new
MetercatASC.cfg 189, 191 Relay Options component 297
components 353
Metering Application Remote component 297
new viewset report 206
Constants component 358, 360 Service Test component 296
Node Scan, full
Constants view 212 Special Dates component 297
event 279
Program task 124 Special Option Board component 297
Nominal Service Voltage
Metering Quantities
Service Test component 433
Quantities component 403
Service Test view 261 P
Quantities view 252
nonrecurring dates P/R, pulses per revolution
Minimum Duration
remaining dates 436 Status view 276
PQM component 389
Special Dates component 435 parameter file
Minimum Outage Time to Trigger Call
Normal display creating for ASCII export 195
Display component 369 example 196
Minimum Retry Interval
Number of Power Outages Partial interval
clearing using Clear Battery Log task Interval Data (Pulses) view 235, 239
Minimum Time to Reset Outage Detection
108 Partial Node Scan
Status view 274 event 279
Mode in use
Number of Retries password
Status view 271
Alarm call 424 Billing Read 172
Model
Billing call 422 Metercat 39
Status view 268
Outage call 427 Read Only 172
modem 289
Restoration call 426 Unrestricted 172
add new phone entry 286
Number of Rings Before Answering Password History Depth 174
alarm call settings 423
Remote component 421 password level
answer call settings 420
Number of Self Reads to loop through 220 function execution 157
billing call settings 422
Password Set
connection 159
Properties component 354
connection type 159 O
password set 174
outage call settings 426 opening
adding 178
phone book 284 component 348
changing 179
restoration call settings 425 program 339
deleting 180
settings 418 report 208
history 174
v.90 standard vs. v.22 standard 165 stored readings 182
renaming 324
Modem Bit Rate System Preferences 44
viewing history 180
Metercat
passwords Power Fail, event event 279

troubleshooting 181 Logs component 386 profiling 378
path power failure Program
AlphaPlus, setting 168 Default Rate 443 specifying, using Program task 123
PCD file 310 Pending Display component 133 program
PED file 308 Power Outage Time 108 about components 328
Perform Demand Reset Status view 274 changing 339
Billing Read task 90 Powerup Voltage Test copying 337
Day Types Pending view 215 Service Test component 430 creating 333
Special Dates Pending view 264 PQM 112, 126, 131, 152 deleting 342
Switch Times Pending view 283 Cumulative Count 247 exporting 306
Perform Self Read Cumulative Failure Time 247 renumbering 322
Day Types Pending view 215 current imbalance test 400 reviewing 339
Special Dates Pending view 264 In Progress 248 saving 341
Switch Times Pending view 283 Optional Value 245 Program Change Date
Perform Self Read on Every Demand Reset Seq. No. 244 Status view 273
Special Features component 441 Status 244 Program Description
Phase Indicator Threshold 120 test execution order 387 Properties component 354
PQM component 389 Test Name 244, 247 Program Editor
Service Test component 430 Test No. 244, 247 closing 344
Service Test view 259 tests 388 starting 333
Phase Loss Time 386 thresholds, different 388 Program Function
Phase Outage 386 troubleshooting 157 Properties component 354
Phase Outage events 242 voltage imbalance test 399 Program ID
Phase Restoration Time 386 PQM component 293 changing 322
phase rotation overriding 297 Program ID Number
Power Factor Test 395 PQM Failure Indication changing 293
Phase Voltage Percentage Relay Options component 410 Properties component 354
Service Test component 433 PQM Log 90, 117 Program Name 327
Service Test view 261 PQM log 387 Program No.
Phasor diagram Logs component 383 Status view 270
Instrumentation view 230 PQM Log Entries Program Options
Phone Book Log view 242 Properties component 355
adding entry 286 PQM ON program report, creating 342
changing entry 288 PQM component 387 Program task 122
dialing 170, 171 PQM Set 243 Run Time Overrides 292, 295
viewing entry 284 PQM component 387 troubleshooting 157
Phone Book Entries unknown 243 Program tasks
group privileges 68 PQM testing Use Mask 124
phone book entry turning on 153, 387 Program Type
adding 286 PQM Version 243 Program Function 271
changing 288 PQM component 387 selecting for new program 334
deleting 290 Status view 269 Status view 271
phone book grid 285 PQM view 243 Programmer No.
Phone Book Management 284 PQM/Sag Log Data view 243 Status view 270
Phone Number PQM/Sag Status view 246 programming
alarms 424 Previous Billing view 249 changing ERT configuration 291
billing 422 Previous Season view 250 meter 291
outage 427 Primary Metering meter with ERT 291
restoration 426 Constants component 358, 360 requirements 291
Port Usage Constants view 212 troubleshooting 298
Remote component 415 privileges with 50ESS ERT option board 291
Portable ALPHA application Function Builder 79 Programming Options
Service Test view 259 Functions 70 System Preferences 49
Power Factor group 67 programs
Instrumentation view 230 Membership 71 network storage 41
Power Factor Angle Meter Access Level 72 Properties component 353
Instrumentation view 230 Programs 70 pulse data (interval)
Power Factor calculation Viewsets 69 creating a report 233, 237
Quantities view 252 probe, optical Pulse Divisor 382, 405
Power Factor Test connection 159 Interval Data Configuration component
PQM component 388, 395 Profile Read 382
Metercat
Interval Data Configuration view 240 rate indication 412 Retry Interval
pulse output, KYZ 405 wiring diagram 413 Remote component 427
pulse profiling 378 relay configuration retry options
Pwr (power fail or restore) Relay Options component 406 meter password 174
Interval Data (Pulses) view 235, 239 Relay Driver Reverse Power detection
Relay Options view 253 Display component 369
Relay Options component 405 Reverse Power detection warning
Q
overriding 297 Display view 221
Quantities component 403
PQM Failure Indication 410 Reverse Power Test & PF
Quantities Recorded
Relay Options view 252 PQM component 388, 393
Remote component REX Change Password task 140
383
A1800 ALPHA meter 414 REX Clear Data task 141
Interval Data Configuration view 240
changing using Program task 126, 293 REX Demand Reset task 144
Quantities view 251
overriding 297 REX meter
quantity identifier 377
Remote view 254 service control switch 142, 144
removing, task from function 82 REX Meter ID Info
R renaming report 147
Rate component 323 REX Meter Identification Info task 145
Status view 275 password set 324 Rolling
Rate Indication renumbering, program ID 322 self read numbering 220
Relay Options component 412 reordering tasks 82 Rotation Test 120
Rate Threshold Repeat button 85, 86 Service Test component 259, 430
Demand component 364 Repeat, function 85 RS-232
Demand view 216 Repeaters device IDs 299
Rates Status view (LAN Collector) 278 Run Current Test After Powerup Voltage
Day Types component 361 Replace PQM task 131 Test 121
Switch Times component 444 Replace Program task 132 Run the Specified PQM Test
Read ICM Custom SIDs task 127 data cleared 133 PQM component 388
Read Only password 101 future replace 135 Turn PQM ON/OFF task 153
reading immediate replace 134
Billing Read task 88 settings not changed 132
S
Diagnostic Read task 115 Replace Rates and Dates
Sag
ICM Custom SIDs 127 Day Types Pending view 214
Event 246
meter 88, 115, 300 Special Dates Pending view 263
Seq. No. 246
requirements 300 Switch Times Pending view 282
Sag log
troubleshooting 88, 115, 300 Replace Rates and Dates task 136
Logs component 383
Reading Filename ID Replace Remote task 139
Sag Log Entries
Billing Read task 89, 116 replicating Metercat systems 33
Logs view 242
Reading Reason report
Sag Status
Status view 269 component 350
Cumulative Voltage Sag Count 248
Record Test Failures in PQM Log errors 86, 304
Cumulative Voltage Sag Duration 248
PQM component 389 function completion 86, 303
sample component
recurring dates Function Shortcuts 30
A3 ALPHA meter ICM 415
Special Dates component 434 function shortcuts 30
A3 ALPHA meter with 50ESS ERT 415
Recycle Bin new 206
A3 ALPHA meter with ICM 415
Stored Readings Options 53 opening 208
collector 415
Register Edit task 128 program 342
sample functions, list 76
Register Multiplier REX Meter Identification Information
saving
Constants component 359, 360 147
changed component 341
Constants view 212 saving 208
component 350
Demand component 363 viewing 208
program 341
Program task 125 viewset 206
program components 341, 344
viewing calculated 294 requirements
report 208
Registered Nodes programming 291
scheduling
Status view (LAN Collector) 278 reading a meter 300
demand reset 440
relay reset demand
self read 440
alarm indicators 411 Demand Reset task 114
Season
cold load pickup 409 restoration calling
Demand Threshold 407 Remote component 425
Status view 275
disabled 406 Retry Delay
Switch Times component 444
end of interval 408 Remote component 419
Season Change
KYZ output 406 Remote view 255
Special Date component 438
Metercat
Second Harmonic Current Test device IDs 299 status

PQM component 388, 397 group status 61 active group 61
Secondary Metering Meter ID 298 active user 58, 63
Constants component 360 Site ID Labels 45 group 61
Constants view 212 system configuration 40 inactive group 61, 66
Security Call Back system preferences 44 inactive user 58, 63
Remote component 419, 421 user status 58 user 58
Remote view 255 shortcut key, function 29 status bar 21
security service Show One Cycle of Alternate Display List at status messages
ANSI C12.18 173 Power Up ILC1 490
Self Read System Preferences 50 status values
demand-only meter 441 single rate demand Channel 235, 239
Logs component 385 Demand component 362 Interval 234, 238
Logs view 242 Single User Status view 267
scheduling 440 User Environment 40 Storage Mode
Special Dates component 438 single user 26, 40 Billing Read task 89, 116
Special Features component 441 Site ID #1 stored reading
self read changing using Program task 293 exporting 184
Logs component 383 Status view 270 importing 196
Self Read Annunciator Numbering 220 Site ID #2 opening 182
Self Read Data changing using Program task 293 viewing 184
Billing Read task 90, 117 Status view 270 Stored Reading Options 52
Self Read on Demand Reset Skipped interval Recycle Bin 53
Special Features view 266 Interval Data (Pulses) view 235, 239 storing programs
Self Reads view 257 SM Version on network 41
Self Reads, number to collect Status view 269 Subinterval
Logs component 385 Smart Auto Lock Demand component 362, 364
Serial No. Service Test Mode 430 Demand view 216
Status view 276 service test mode 120 Switch Times
Service SmartSynch option board 415 Day Types component 361
Service Test component 431 sort-and-group switch times
Service Test view 260, 272 stored readings 183 number of 445
Unlock Service task 153 special dates Switch Times component 444
service control switch troubleshooting 441 Switch Times Pending view 282
REX meter 142, 144 Special Dates component 433 Switch Times view 281
Service Test component overriding 297 synchronization
changing using Program task 125, 293 Special Dates Pending view 263 Change Time task 106
overriding 296 Special Dates view 261 System Configuration 40
Service Test Mode 120 Special Display Item 372 System Preferences
Manual 430 LCD appearance 372 clock source 49
Service Test component 430 restrictions 372, 377 Dates and Rates options 48
Smart Auto Lock 430 Special Features component 441 Holidays 47
Service Test Mode Lock Special Features view 265 meter families 44
Service Test view 259 special option board meter types 44
Service Test view 258 Configure Special Option Board task Programming Options 49
Service Tests component 430 113 Site ID Labels 46
Service Voltage Test Special Option Board component 442 Stored Readings options 52
PQM component 388, 390 overriding 297 Time Difference options 51
Service Voltage Tolerance 121 Special Option Board view 266
Service Test component 430 specifying
Service Test view 259
T
meter family 44
task
services meter types 44
adding 82
available 429 Sportster Delay
Billing Read 88
Sessions with Write Remote component 420
Change Demand Overload 91
Status view 273 Remote view 255
Change Demand Threshold 92
Set Version Start Time
Change ICM Custom SIDs 95
PQM component 387 Switch Times component 444
Change ICM Settings 97
PQM view 243 starting
Change KYZ Output 98
setting AlphaPlus 24
Change Meter Passwords 100
Account 298 Component Editor 345
Change Modem Init String 104
AlphaPlus path 168 Metercat 26
Change Out LAN Collector 105
data retention 379, 382 Program Editor 333
Change Time 106
Metercat
Clear Data 109 Overload 404 special dates 441

Clear Event Flags 110 PQM component 388 Turn PQM ON/OFF task 387
Clear Event Log 110 Rate 216 Turn PQM On/Off task 152
Clear ICM Over-temperature Counters time Turnaround Delay
111 adjustment limits 51 Remote component 417, 420
Clear PQM Data 112 difference limit 51 Remote view 255
Configure Special Option Board 113 test 51 turning on
Demand Reset 114 Time Broadcast PQM testing 153, 387
Diagnostic Read 115 event 279 TWACS option board 415
Edit PQM Thresholds 118 Time Change, event TXT file format 196
Edit Service Test 119 Logs component 386
Program 122 Time Difference Options
U
Read ICM Custom SIDs 127 System Preferences 51
UDT Configuration
Register Edit 128 time error, reporting 51
Status view 271
removing 82 time synchronization
UNICOM probe 159
repeating 85 Change Time task 106
unit of measure 194
Replace PQM 131 Time to Reset Outage Detection
unknown
Replace Program 132 Remote component 427
PQM Set 243
Replace Rates and Dates 136 Time Zone
Unlock Service task 153
Replace Remote 139 Change Time task 107
UOM. See unit of measure.
REX Change Password 140 changing 293
Used Shared Memory
REX Clear Data 141 Program task 124
Status view (LAN Collector) 278, 280
REX Demand Reset 144 time zone
user
REX Meter Identification Info 145 setting default 107
adding 55
Special Option Board Configuration 113 timekeeping
changing 56
Test ICM 148 internal oscillator 50
deleting 57
Test Mode Off 150 line frequency 50
managing 54
Test Mode On 151 Timeout
setting status 58
Turn PQM ON/OFF 387 Remote component 419
User Environment
Turn PQM On/Off 152 Remote view 255
system configuration 40
Unlock Service 153 Tools
user information
View ICM Status 154 Launch Alpha Keys 24
changing 56
task execution order 82, 303 Total Demand Distortion Test
User Management 54
tasks, reordering 82 PQM component 388, 402
using
TCP/IP Total Harmonic Distortion Current Test
accelerator keys 20
add new phone entry 286 PQM component 388, 397
Component Editor 345
Terminal Cover Removal Detection 386 Total Harmonic Distortion Voltage Test
function shortcuts 31
Test PQM component 388, 399
Using Default Thresholds
Interval Data (Pulses) view 235, 239 Total No. of Resets
Service Test component 432
Test display Status view 273
Utility ID
Display component 369 Transformer Factor
Status view (LAN Collector) 278, 280
Test ICM task 148 Constants component 359
Utility Serial No.
Test Interval transformer factor 125
Status view 270
Demand component 363, 364 transformer loss compensation 491
Demand view 216 transformer-rated
Test Mode Off task 150 PQM component 397 V
Test Mode On task 151 Trigger PQM Warning view
auto-exit 152 PQM component 389 Constants 211
Test Mode, event Trigger Warnings Current Billing 212
Logs component 386 Service Test component 432 Day Types 213
Test Name troubleshooting Day Types Pending 214
PQM/Sag Status view 247 access to program 298 Demand 215
Test No. AlphaPlus, ports 168 Display 217
PQM/Sag Status view 247 connection settings 165 Event Log Data 225
Test Subinterval function execution 157 History Log Data 226
Demand component 363, 364 meter password level 157 Instrumentation 229
Demand view 216 passwords 181 Interval Data (Pulses) 235
testing, ICM 148 PQM 157 Interval Data Configuration 239
Threshold Program task 157 Logs 240
default, Service Test component 432 programming 298 PQM 243
Demand component 363 reading 88, 115, 300 PQM/Sag Log Data 243
Load Control 404 remote communication 165 PQM/Sag Status 246
Metercat
Previous Billing 249 stored readings 182 changing using Program task 124
Previous Season 250 viewset 203 VT Ratio 360
Quantities 251 your user information 34 Constants component 360
Relay Options 252 viewset Constants view 212
Remote 254 building 202
Self Reads 257 changing 204
W
Service Test 258 deleting 206
warning messages
Special Dates 261 viewing 203
meter 486
Special Dates Pending 263 Viewset Builder 202
Warning Trigger
Special Features 265 viewset report
Service Test view 260
Special Option Board 266 creating 206
Warnings
Status 267 pulse data 233, 237
Display component 368
Switch Times 281 Viewsets
locked 368
Switch Times Pending 282 group privileges 67
Status view 272
View ICM Status task 154 Voltage
warnings, Alarm Trigger
view, program settings 339 Instrumentation view 230
viewing Voltage Imbalance Test
wiring diagrams
account information 34 PQM component 388, 399
assigned function shortcuts 30 Voltage Phase Angle 261
Write Sessions
connection source 165 Service Test component 433
Status view 273
function 80 Service Test view 261
ICM network status 154 Voltage Phase Angle (instrumentation) 230
password set history 180 Voltage Sag Test 387 X
phone book 284 PQM component 387, 388, 389 XML file 308, 310
report 208 VT
About Elster Group
Elster Group is the world's leading
manufacturer and supplier of highly
accurate, high quality, integrated metering
and utilization solutions to the gas,
electricity, and water industries. In addition,
through its subsidiary Ipsen International, it
is the leading global manufacturer of high-
level thermo- chemical treatment
equipment.
The group has over 8,500 staff and
operations in 38 countries, focused in
North and South America, Europe, and
Asia. Elster's high quality products and
systems reflect the wealth of knowledge
and experience gained from over 170 years
of dedication to measuring energy and
scarce natural resources.
ALPHA, ALPHA Plus, REX, and EnergyAxis are registered

trademarks and Metercat and AlphaPlus are trademarks of
Elster. Other products and company names mentioned herein
may be the trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
Elster
208 S Rogers Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610-2144
United States
T +1 800 338 5251 (US toll free)
F +1 919 212 4801
support@us.elster.com
www.elster.com
© February 2008 by Elster. All rights reserved.

No part of this software or documentation may be reproduced,
transmitted, processed or recorded by any means or form,
electronic, mechanical, photographic or otherwise, translated
to another language, or be released to any third party without
the express written consent of the Elster.
Printed in the United States of America.c

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Metercat

3 Using account information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Meter Access Level tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

4 Configuring the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

5 Setting system preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

7 Managing functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Building a function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Clear PQM Data task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Viewing ICM status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

8 Managing machine settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

9 Managing meter passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

10 Managing stored readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

11 Managing viewsets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

Accessing Viewset Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

Special Dates view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261

12 Managing the Phone Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284

13 Programming a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291

14 Reading a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

15 Exporting a program or component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306

16 Importing a program or component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311

Renaming a password set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324

17 Introduction to program development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327

18 Using the Program Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

19 Using the Component Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

Register Multiplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

Switch Times component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443

B Report Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 460

C Displayable Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469

D Relay Wiring Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483

E Meter Events, Errors & Warnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485

F Configuring Loss Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .491

In addition to its basic functionality, Metercat includes the following features:

• meter shop administrators and supervisors

Using the Metercat main window

Customizing the background image

Viewing online help

Help Type Description

Program editor help

Viewing release information

• From the Help menu, select About.

Using the menu bar

Navigating the interface using accelerator keys

Understanding the status bar

Status Field Description

Status Field Description

Using movement buttons

Using the calendar

Here we have selected

Starting AlphaPlus software

To start AlphaPlus meter support software:

1. From the Metercat Tools menu, select Launch AlphaPlus.

Starting Alpha Keys software

1. From the Metercat Tools menu, select Launch Alpha Keys.

Changing the interface language

To change the language of the interface:

1. From the Help menu, select Language.

1. Click on the Windows Start button.

• Single user system

Single user system

Note: The default Administrator password is Administrator. To preserve security, change

Multiple user system

To have a log on name, an administrator must first:

• create your log on name and password